MP PHILIP Davies has been declared a Beer Champion for his work campaigning for beer and pubs.

The Shipley MP received the award from the British Beer & Pub Association to recognise his support for the Long Live the Local campaign and helping to secure freezes in beer duty.

Mr Davies was presented with the ‘Beer Champion’ award, a unique tap-handle trophy created especially for the occasion.

The association wanted to recognise the role of MPs from across the House of Commons in supporting Britain’s ‘national drink’ since the 2017 General Election.

The association said the award especially recognised support for successive freezes in beer duty which secured thousands of jobs and millions of pounds worth of investment in brewing and pubs sector.

The Long Live the Local campaign is campaigning for a cut in beer duty in this year’s Budget and so far over 90,000 people have supported the petition this year, including 183 in the Shipley constituency alone.

Mr Davies said: “Pubs and local breweries play an extremely important role in the local community and the local economy, and I will continue to do all I can to help them thrive.”

Brigid Simmonds, chief executive the association, said the award recognised invaluable support for the Great British pub and Britain’s historic brewing industry.