RIBBLE Valley MP Nigel Evans has joined a campaign calling for a fairer deal for licensees tied to large pub companies with more than 500 pubs.

The campaign is supported by organisations including the Federation of Small Businesses and the Campaign for Real Ale.

Mr Evans, chairman of the all party beer group in the House of Commons, is among 160 MPs who have signed the Early Day Motion.

He said: “Pubs play a huge role in the community and they are a hub, especially in rural areas such as the Ribble Valley.

“Around 20 pubs a week are closing down across the country. The Craven Heifer in Clitheroe has recently shut.

“More than £100million is raised by pubs for charity each year and they are at the centre of a lot of communities.

“We need to make sure we can protect them as much as possible and this Early Day Motion is one way to go about doing that. The Ribble Valley is home to a large number of wonderful pubs but we must remain vigilant that large pub companies do not take more than is sustainable from pub profits in both inflated product prices and excessive rents, which in many cases can cause closures.”

In August, the Lancashire Telegraph reported how Blackburn was one of the worst towns in the country for pub closures last year.

Derek Haworth, who runs Thwaites-owned Fox And Hounds in Ewood, Blackburn, said: “It’s positive that MPs are finally aware of this issue and I hope something comes of it.”

Bev MacRae, who runs The Dugdale Arms in Burnley and The Bridge in Padiham, said: “I welcome the support from the MPs and I hope that something is done to help us. Generally, big pub companies deal with licensees fairly but more could be done, such as lowering our rents.”