PUB landlords 'need a break' from further rises in beer duty, according to the MP for Central Devon.

Beer duty has risen by 42% since March 2008, when the Beer Tax Escalator was introduced. Pressure is being put on Chancellor George Osborne not to deliver the scheduled increased in the Budget on March 20. Critics of the escalator argue that it has directly resulted in falling beer sales and pub closures.

Mel Stride MP was one of many people to put a message calling for a freeze in beer duty inside a handcrafted oak barrel, sent to the Treasury by MPs and representatives of the British Beer and Pub Association, Campaign for Real Ale and the Society of Independent Brewers.

Mr Stride said: 'Landlords are already facing very difficult trading conditions and if we want vibrant pubs to remain at the heart of local communities they need to be given a break.

'I hope the Chancellor will listen to the cross-party calls from myself and other MPs for a duty freeze.'

Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, which organised the barrel event, said: 'I want to thank Mel for championing beer and pubs in Central Devon.

'Beer tax hikes are not raising more revenues for the Government, and with a duty freeze we can create many more local jobs.'