WEST Devon and Torridge MP Geoffrey Cox visited pubs in Follygate and Holsworthy last Friday, to support 'Proud of Pubs Week', a national campaign to celebrate rural pubs.

The MP was at the Crossways Inn in Follygate at lunchtime, and the White Hart in Holsworthy in the evening, where he was able to discuss the problems affecting local pubs with landlords, John and Wendy Williams and Jon Hutchings, to meet the regulars, and to sample their selection of local ales. 

 The White Hart's Landlord, Jon Hutchings also presented the MP with a petition of more than 300 signatures in support of making St George's Day a public holiday.

Geoffrey Cox said: 'I was very pleased to support local pubs during "Proud of Pubs week".

'Fifty six pubs are closing each month and rural pubs have been hit hard by the Chancellor's new alcohol duties, by the cost of fuel and by the smoking ban, and yet, along with village post offices and shops, are vital social centres of the communities they serve.

'However, it is fair to say this was not one of my hardest assignments as Member of Parliament!'