WORCESTER pubs are supporting calls to cut the cost of beer tax, so beer lovers can hail the ale over the Christmas period.

New research released by the TaxPayers' Alliance (TPA) shows that the Government's tax costs 52 pence per pint, more than almost every other county in Europe, including 10 times as much per pint as revellers pay in Germany.

The research also shows that the average householder spends one per cent of their disposable income on alcohol duty, equivalent to £263 each year.

The TaxPayers' Alliance has partnered with the British Beer and Pub Association, Drinkers Voice and the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group for the campaign #cutbeertax, putting pressure on the Chancellor Phillip Hammond to act.

Jac Manning, manager at King Charles House, said: "We brew our own beer and sell it here.

"A beer tax cut would support us in cutting prices, absolutely.

"It does impact - the beer tax is unfair.

"But being honest, it is difficult to answer overall until Brexit, because that is going to affect how we import."

Grkhan Yildirm, landlord at The Old Greyhound, said: "We welcome anything that helps cut prices.

"If it means more people coming in, it is a good thing."

Ashia Pitchard, manager at Ye Olde Talbot, said: "The price (of tax) in comparison to the EU is ridiculously high.

"We do already get good footfall - we are normally the first waterhole people stop at before going into town.

"But we would get more people (with a tax cut) and that would be a good thing."

Recently the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) carried out its own survey of 1,000 beer drinkers, that found that just 15 per cent believed prices were affordable.

The campaign group warned that thousands of pubs could close unless the Government acted.

Last month the Worcester News reported that Worcestershire revellers pay on average £3.38 for a beer at county pubs, lower than the national average which is £3.60.