The loss of customers to out-of-town pubs, teamed with the smoking ban which came into force in July 2007, has taken its toll on Alnwick's pubs.

Colin Reid has owned the Dirty Bottles on Narrowgate for 23 years, and said he has been hit hard over the last few months.

He said: "We just have to get on with it. The pub pays its way. We have had good times over the years and I'm quite prepared to carry on."

Peter Munro, landlord of The Fleece on Bondgate Without, said: "We have not been as busy as we normally are, it is a lot quieter.

"You've got the cheap alcohol coming out at the supermarket so people are staying at home and drinking."

Peter and Colin are both backing the Gazette's Keep It Local campaign.

Peter said: "We want to try and keep as many pubs going in Alnwick as possible.

"The more you keep it local the better. We buy all our produce locally, our meat and veg comes from Turnbull's."

There is a growing concern that not all pubs in Alnwick will survive the current strain.

Colin said: "It is a case of who breaks first, there is not enough business for everybody," he said.

Colin also runs Pier 81 in Amble and he added that the it is the same situation there.

He added: "The smoking ban has been the biggest cause of the downturn. Most regulars in pubs smoke as well."

But he also said that with the opening of Penny Black on Fenkle Street, more business has been brought to that end of town.