Drinkers will want to drown their sorrows following last week’s revelation that five pubs close down in the UK every day.

But they will soon struggle to find a nearby watering hole, with closure rates accelerating from 27 to 36 a week, the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has said.

A total of 1,409 pubs closed during 2007.

A spokesman for the BBPA said there was no regional breakdown of the figures, but added: “There is no doubt the problem is affecting all parts of the country, including Hounslow.”

Rob Hayward, chief executive of the BBPA said the statistics were a “stark illustration” of the pressures on the pub sector. He said: “Economic stresses and strains are being felt by every household across the country and acutely by Britain’s public houses.

“Sliding consumer confidence and spiralling inflation are hitting pubs in two ways.

“Not only are the costs of running a pub increasing, but fewer people through the door means less cash in the tills.

“Despite this, the Government seems intent on increasing the burden on pubs.

“Its current proposals to target pubs with a raft of new red tape such as statutory codes of conduct and ratchet up taxes with its beer duty escalator will only make matters worse.”

Mike Benner, the chief executive of the Campaign for Real Ale, said the Government must take urgent action to save pubs from closure.

He said: “Pubs are essential local services and the Government has a moral duty to protect them.

“It should start by announcing it will reverse its decision to increase beer duty in the next four budgets and that a review of alcohol taxes will be undertaken without delay.”