A NEW government drive to try and save endangered village pubs has been welcomed by local MPs who believe it may be a lifeline to many threatened inns in the area.

This week Environment Secretary John Gummer said that a new plan to allow councils to halve the business rates of village shops and post offices in difficulties could also apply to pubs.

It would be up to the discretion of the local council.

Rossendale and Darwen's Labour MP Janet Anderson and her Worsley colleague Terry Lewis have welcomed the move, which could save dozens of inns in the countryside around Bolton and Bury from bankruptcy.

But they have complained that the government could have acted much sooner. Mrs Anderson, whose constituency includes the famous Strawbury Duck in Entwistle and the Black Dog in Belmont, said: "There are dozens of pubs in villages in Rossendale that could benefit. The village pubs is a key part of village life. This will be a great relief to many publicans and villages.

"It just a pity the government did not do this some years ago. If they had many village pubs might not have closed."

Mr Lewis said: "This is a very welcome move but they could have done it years ago and saved hundreds of village pubs nationwide.

"Many villagers and village publicans will welcome this but they won't be fooled by it. The government has had 17 years to do this but they do it now as straightforward pre-election bribe."

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