Scrapping burdensome pub regulations – like the smoking ban which heralds its third anniversary this week – would halt the decline of the industry and create vital jobs needed to help people off benefits and back into work, says UKIP member and pub landlord Nick Hogan.

Mr Hogan, who went to prison for allowing two elderly gents smoke in his pub on a rainy day, said it was vital that the new Government got to grips with the crisis in the industry, which is seeing 38 establishments close every week.

"Landlords have to be allowed to run their pubs themselves, without unnecessary interference from the Government and without laws like the smoking ban which simply drive more and more customers away," he said.

"A well-run pub is busy and needs plenty of staff, the sort of people who may only need part-time work. But this can mean taking people off benefits, giving them employment and reducing their reliance on the public sector with the private sector picking up the tab.

"Surely, for the good health of the economy, this is an opportunity that needs to be seized by the Coalition Government before the pub industry collapses completely."