A PUB near Hereford is slashing its opening hours as it tries to cope with dwindling customer numbers and higher costs.

The Plough Inn at Little Dewchurch, south of Hereford, said it would only be open at weekends through January.

The pub said it made the decision due to ever-increasing running costs and fewer customers.

In the autumn, the pub was closed on a Monday and Tuesday but open from 7.30pm until 10.30pm on Wednesday and Thursday, 2pm until midnight Fridays, 2pm until 11pm Saturdays and 12.30pm until 5.30pm on Sundays.

Now it will only be open on Saturdays and Sundays.

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The pub, which describes itself on its website as a lovely and friendly pub, restaurant and B&B near Hereford offering cosy warm rooms with charm and character, added: "A big thank you to all our customers who continue to support their local pub."

Meanwhile, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has told business leaders that the current level of energy bill support for firms is “unsustainably expensive” and a reduced support scheme will be announced next week.

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The current energy bill relief scheme, which caps wholesale energy prices on electricity and gas at about half the expected market price, ends in March.

The Treasury added that Mr Hunt told the chiefs that a “lower level” of further support would “be designed to help them transition to the new higher price environment and avoid a cliff edge in support”.

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The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), which was also in the meeting, said pubs could be forced to shut without help close to current levels.

“We met with the Chancellor today to underline the challenges the industry face and the critical importance of extending the energy relief support to avoid significant business failure and the closure of many pubs and brewers,” commented chief executive of the organisation, Emma McClarkin.

“Without extended support at close to current levels, pubs and brewers in communities across the country could be lost for good.

“The failure to safeguard pubs and breweries from price increases come April will be the last straw for businesses who have been struggling for three years to remain solvent and serving their communities.”