CENTRAL Devon MP Mel Stride enjoyed a visit to Belstone's pub last Friday, to highlight a national campaign to reduce VAT to 5% for the hospitality sector.

Mr Stride visited the Tors following an invitation from pub landlord Tony Cooper. His visit coincided with British Pub Week.

Mr Cooper said: 'For the people that turned out for Mr Stride's visit, it proved a worthwhile evening.

'There weren't perhaps as many local landlords here as we would have hoped for, but it was a good night nevertheless.

'He discussed with people how he would like to try and bring down VAT — and that doesn't just affect landlords but everybody in some way. He seemed more than happy to chat with those who were here, and had a lot of time for them.'

The MP is urging the Government to reduce the VAT on hotel bedrooms from 20% to a level similar to Germany, France and Ireland, which have rates around 7%.

The visit gave local people and publicans the opportunity to express their views, stress the positive impact pubs play in their local community and promote the VAT reduction campaign.

Mr Stride spoke about various issues affecting the pub trade, including apprenticeships, local employment and youth facilities.