THE Government has unveiled measures to protect community pubs that are disappearing in the Westcountry.

Pubs minister John Healey yesterday announced £4 million in funding alongside practical support for pub landlords to help stem almost 40 closures a week.

The problem is particularly acute in rural areas in the far South West where the pub has traditionally been at the heart of community life.

An analysis of pub closures last year showed that 4 per cent of pubs in Devon and Cornwall had gone to the wall in the previous four years.

In North Devon, the number of pubs fell by 11 to 177, in Torridge and West Devon by 21 to 178 and in East Devon by 12 to 106.

In Cornwall, the South East Cornwall constituency lost nine pubs, bringing its total to 147, and Truro and St Austell had 132 pubs after six closed in the period.

The measures unveiled yesterday included £3.3 million to be spent on business support to make pubs more successful and to help communities buy into struggling premises to keep them open.

Councils are to be given new planning powers to intervene before a pub is demolished and restrictions on sales which prevent premises continuing as pubs will be also banned.

Pubs will also be allowed to extend into ventures ranging from restaurants to gift shops and book shops without planning permission.

Mr Healey said: "This package of tough, practical measures aims to put some real support behind our community pubs, giving publicans more support to diversify and punters more choice.

"We need and can do more to support our pubs which can be at the heart of a local community." Landlords would also have access to specialist business support and advice, said Mr Healey .

The measures also relax "beer ties", rules that require tenant landlords to buy supplies only from pub companies, allowing publicans to buy locally-sourced ales as well as their usual stock.

The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) welcomed the announcement.

Camra chief executive Mike Benner said: "This is a great day for people who care about the future of our community pubs.

"This inspired action plan could offer a lifeline to thousands of pubs and help communities stave off pub closures which threaten their quality of life and community well-being."

The Red Lion pub in the riverside village of Dittisham, near Dartmouth, South Devon, was hailed as an example of a community pub.

The village shop – selling local produce and newspapers – is housed in the family room and the post office is at the end of the bar.

Moving into the pub has helped husband and wife team Brigitte Tardy and Clive Bellenger, who own both businesses, to stave off the demise of the post office as part of the Government's closure programme.

Penny Mathews, one of five shop assistants who man the shop, post office and bar, said the arrangement helped sustain community spirit.

She added: "If there's no village shop, you would have to get in your car and drive to Dartmouth to get a pint of milk and a newspaper.

"It's almost 'What's the point of living in Dittisham?' It's the sensible, logical option for a small village that wants to retain local services."