Closures have accelerated to 36 a week, up 33 per cent from the 27 closures a week during 2007, the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) said.

Pubs are now closing nine times faster than in 2006 and 18 times faster than in 2005, the figures, compiled by market researcher CGA Strategy, show. A total of 1,409 pubs closed during 2007.

BBPA chief executive Rob Hayward said: "These numbers are a stark illustration of the pressures on the pub sector. 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.

"Such policies will only drive up costs for pubs and prices for punters. Government needs to wake up to what's happening in the real world of the pub."

In July the BBPA reported that total beer sales were down 4.5 per cent compared with the same quarter last year, while beer sales in pubs were down 10.6 per cent.

The slump had left sales of beer at their lowest levels since the great depression of the 1930s, the association said.

Mr Hayward added: "Thousands of much-loved community pubs are under threat. They are at the heart of every community and a major tourist draw for Britain. Without a change of heart from the Government, many more are facing closure.

"With so many pubs in peril, the Government's threat of further stealth taxes on beer cannot go unanswered. And with food and fuel prices rocketing, this is a terrible time to be hitting pub-goers with more taxes."

Mike Benner, chief executive of the Campaign for Real Ale, said: "It is clear that the Government must take urgent action to save pubs from closure.

"Pubs are essential local services and the Government has a moral duty to protect them. It should start by announcing immediately that 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."