A group will be rallying support at a festival as they re-launch their campaign to save pubs in the district.

The Save St Albans Pubs Group and the South Herts branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) will be restarting their petition at the ST Albans Beer and Cider Festival this week.

The CAMRA campaign is being launched ahead of this year’s budget to introduce a long term freeze in beer duty as well as an annual £5,000 business rate relief for all pubs.

Festival-goers will be asked to sign postcards addressed to their MP asking them to lobby the Chancellor for greater support for pubs.

Sean Hughes of Save St Albans Pubs said: “We are re-launching the campaign to urge the Government that a fundamental review of the business rates system is needed, with immediate support for pubs. The Government must act now to stop more pubs from closing."

Beer festival organiser John Bishop said: “Pubs are vital to our local communities, our economy, and to the British way of life.

“Pubs in St Albans have been hit hard by the recent rates revaluation and many of the city’s much-loved pubs facing crippling bill increases.

“They are struggling to stay afloat under the heavy burden of tax which now makes up more than a third of the cost of a pub pint.

“It is ultimately the beer drinkers who will pay the price as pubs are forced to increase their prices or close their doors forever.”

The campaign will kick off on Thursday, September 27 at 3.15pm in the Festival Main Hall.

For more information email campaigns@camra.org.uk.