Soaring beer taxes have forced more than 300 community pubs in the UK to close business between September 2011 and March 2012, according to Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), an independent, voluntary organisation working for real ale, community pubs and consumer rights in the country.

Every week around 12 pubs are shutting in Britain, out of which eight are in suburban localities and four are in rural areas.

Lancashire and West Midlands as among the hardest hit areas with 68 and 37 closures, respectively.

High streets pubs have performed well under the prevailing economic scenario as a total of six locations were affected in the last six months across Britain.

The research reveals around 73% customers of traditional pubs are in favour of elimination of beer duties as the country has registered 42% rise in beer duty since 2008.

CAMRA has initiated an online campaign in the UK requesting beer consumers to join an e-petition for the elimination of beer taxes.

In the last few weeks, more than 33,000 petitioners have joined the national online program against rising beer taxes.

CAMRA chief executive Mike Benner said whether situated in a small village, city high street, or on the edge of a housing estate, pubs are so central to our society that whole communities can grow around a particular pub.

"A threat to the future of traditional pubs is therefore also a threat to countless social groups within Britain that thrive because of their local," Benner said.

"Unsustainable beer tax increases by the Government are ripping the heart out of community centres, but with over 33,000 consumers having recently signed the beer tax e-petition, beer drinkers and pub goers are actively voicing their discontent.

"CAMRA is now campaigning to secure 100,000 signatures, which would force Parliament to debate above inflation rises in beer duty."