David Ruffley, the MP for Bury St Edmunds is leading the campaign to save the British pub in Suffolk. Latest figures show they are currently closing nationwide at a rate of 39 a week.

British Pub Week, which is taking place from 30th of October until the 6th of November, is aimed at encouraging people to celebrate the great British pub and to see and experience everything that it has to offer.

David, who visited the Five Bells in Hessett on the 29th of October, and the Dove, Bury St Edmunds on Sunday the 31st said 'so many people from within village communities use their local pub as a social centre. In towns and villages constituents rely on their local pub as a vital social resource, much like a shop or Post Office. In The Dove they have a reading club and live music, as well as a fantastic array of real ales. 2,365 pubs closed in 2009, resulting in 24,000 jobs lost in the sector. 'Rural areas revolve around their pubs and they are places to socialise and bond and I want to fight to keep them at the heart of the community.

'Rural pubs are still at risk from closures due to considerably lower prices in supermarkets, the constantly rising tax on alcohol and the nationwide ban on smoking indoors which has been putting publicans under huge pressure and making it harder for them to attract punters through their doors. This campaign aims to highlight all the unique aspects of pubs which make them one of the best places to enjoy a drink and socialise.'