HUNDREDS of north west pubs have closed over the last five years and the government was urged today to take urgent action to support them.

A new report claims that local community pubs are closing their doors permanently at the rate of 39 a week - and closure rates have been accelerating.

The north west has been hardest hit, with 612 out of the 8,513 smaller community pubs closing since 2005.

Today's report by the Institute for Public Policy Research says urgent action is needed to prevent community pubs from disappearing altogether, which they say will require a radical change in government policy.

They blame competition from shops and supermarkets, the recession, increases in the tax on beer, a reduction in real ale drinking and a growth in the consumption of wine.

The report says these smaller pubs inject an average £80,000 a year into their local economy, while providing jobs and a controlled environment for socially-responsible drinking.

Report author Rick Muir said responsible, well-run community pubs should be encouraged and supported.

He said: "Our research shows community pubs aren't just places to drink, but also places where people meet their neighbours, where local clubs hold meetings and events, and which support many important local services, such as village post offices and general stores."

The Institute says the government should consider business rate relief, planning law reform and a change in the relationship between the large pub companies and their tenants.

Case study:

Sir Ralph Abercrombie was an intrepid general who survived cavalry charges and naval battles in the Napoleonic wars.

But the pub named in his honour is now fighting its own battles amid turbulent economic times.

The Bootle Street pub has been a haven for city centre drinkers for more than 200 years. Landlady Denise McLoughlin says business has never been so tough and blamed a VAT price hike and cheap supermarket booze for turning patrons away.

Denise, who has worked in the trade for 27 years, said: "We are being hit by high rents and the tax increases in drink have had a huge impact. A lot of people are deciding they would rather drink at home. They don't want to pay £3.10 for a pint when you can get three bottles of wine for a tenner at the supermarket.

"I've got five members of staff who have to be paid and bills to be paid.

"I can't remember a time when things were so hard.

"It's a real shame because if pubs like ours do close, where are people going to go? It's a shame for people who like a pint after work.

"Pubs used to be the centre of communities, where people met in their neighbourhood."

She also said high rents and rising power costs were forcing publicans to pass on unattractive price rises to customers. The pub has refurbished its outdoor beer garden in a bid to retain patrons put off by the smoking ban.

Although the pub still does good evening trade, patrons would have previously crowded the bar during lunchtimes.

The British Beer and Pub Association claims nearly 40 pubs are closing each week, with more than 44,000 jobs lost in the last two years.