NORTHERN Powerhouse Minister Jake Berry has outlined the support the government offers pubs.

Speaking after the Lancashire Telegraph revealed one in five in its area had closed in the past five years, the Rossendale and Darwen Tory MP said: "There are some brilliant pubs across East Lancashire which provide much more than just a place to drink for local residents.

"I am encouraged by the support which the government has made available to pubs.

"Through the 'Asset of Community Value' scheme, communities can list facilities of local importance, including pubs. This means that if a pub owner wishes to sell, the community has six months to come up with a plan to save it.

"There’s also the £3.6 million ‘More than a Pub: The Community Business Support Programme’, launched in March 2016 which is helping to support communities across England to own their local pub. The Government continues to support the work of the 'Pub is The Hub' initiative to help landlords diversify and provide essential services.

"The Chancellor announced in his Autumn Budget 2017 a freeze on all alcohol duties for 2018."

Mr Berry added: " The Spring Budget 2017 also provided a £1,000 discount on business rates bills in 2017 for pubs with a rateable value of less than £100,000 and I was pleased to see this extended in the Autumn Budget for a further year, through to March 2019.