AN historic Preston trade association, set up 150 years ago to protect the interests of pub landlords, is in danger of closing because of a lack of interest.

Preston Licensed Victuallers' Association used to boast 60 local landlords on its books.

But recently only half a dozen people have been turning up for meetings and members fear their organisation will have to close if numbers keep falling.

Brian Atkinson, landlord of Barney's Bar, Church Street, a licensee for nearly 40 years, is one of the longest serving in Preston. In his career he has been chairman of the association three times, and seen beer go from 9p a pint to its present day price of about £1.90.

Brian, 70, said: "It's going to collapse, and it will be a shame. I'll be very sorry if it does fold."

The association was set up in 1844 and was a powerful group working with the local council and police to look after landlords and keep them up to date with problems.

At its peak the group hosted the 52nd annual national conference of victuallers in 1924, attracting hundreds of landlords.

But as the pub industry changed, with large breweries and property companies taking over venues, the association has suffered.

Brian said: "I used to know every landlord in Preston, but now I don't know half a dozen. I've enjoyed my time in the trade but in the last ten or 15 years it has declined.

"It's a bad state of affairs. I put it all down to the breweries. I know of a pub that's had 12 licensees in five years.

"In the old days everybody knew each other. Landlords were respected."

Brian Swains, association secretary, said: "Pubs used to close at 3pm, and we had the meetings afterwards. Now pubs are open all day, that's one of the problems, because licensees are working all day."