THREE MPs have joined forces across party lines to action from the government to help save pubs from closure.

Blackburn Labour representative Kate Hollern, Ribble Valley's Nigel Evans and his Pendle Conservative colleague Andrew Stephenson are all calling for ministers to 'love the local'.

The intervention comes after the Lancashire Telegraph revealed yesterday that one in five pubs in its area had shut in the past five years.

Mrs Hollern said: "Pubs are not only businesses that create jobs but are the heart of our communities and great places to socialise, meet friends and family.

"Sadly there are 18 pubs closing every week. Unless the government take action this number is likely to grow until there are no pubs left.

"There needs to be a serious, urgent review of business rates and beer duty.

"We need a package of reforms that can help save local pubs. Not to would be a false economy with the loss of income for the government, jobs for local people and community assets we all enjoy."

Mr Evans, President of the Parliamentary Beer Group, said: "Pubs are an integral part of life in the UK, providing jobs to over 900,000 people, including 1,925 in the Ribble Valley. Recently they have been feeling the squeeze, with over ten pubs closing in the Ribble Valley last year.

"The preservation of this vital sector to be imperative to British society and the many people who visit pubs to socialise, particularly in rural areas where places to mix with others are few.

"I am supporting a cut in beer duty during the Autumn Budget to further revitalise the British pub economy. I know how important each and every pub is to the community they serve.”

Government whip Mr Stephenson: "I don’t just love my local, I live right next to it: The Crown Hotel in Colne!

"I think pubs are really important at bringing people together and providing a responsible, social drinking environment.

"Having seen the number of pubs in Pendle decline, I was one of many MPs pushing for the end to the beer duty escalator, which was scrapped in 2013 and spoke in Parliament to call for an end to the pub tie, finally broken two years ago.

"However, I continue to believe there’s more to be done to support pubs.

" I think addressing alcohol sales from supermarkets and off-licenses may be where the Government needs to look next, to address problem drinking and to make sure pubs have an even playing field.

"Importantly, we face a challenge of loneliness.Pubs clearly can be part of how we keep people connected with their neighbours and community.