David Ruffley MP will be celebrating 'Proud of Pubs Week' at the Fox Inn on Eastgate Street in Bury St Edmunds on Friday 13 July at 12.45pm.

David's visit is part of a national campaign celebrating the British Public House, organised by The Publican magazine, which runs from 8 to 15 July.

David will be seeing for himself the positive contribution that the Fox Inn makes in the community, as well as discussing issues such as the smoking ban with customers and staff.

The local media and photographers are invited to attend.

David said:

'Proud of Pubs Week is a fantastic initiative to celebrate the Great British pub.

'I have never pulled a pint before and I look forward to being shown how to do it at the Fox Inn.

'The local pub can be a focal point of a community. In recent years pubs have begun to reinvent themselves- more than eight out of ten now welcome families, one in three now puts on extra entertainment and, following the smoking ban, 96 percent of pubs serve food.

'The contribution that the local pub can make to our community can not be underestimated. Nationally 900,000 people rely on beer and pubs for their employment and the average pub spends £70,000 a year on local goods and services.

'The Fox Inn is a brilliant example of a community pub and I look forward to celebrating Proud of Pubs week with its customers and staff.'