HEREFORDSHIRE'S rural pubs are disappearing at the rate of one a year.

The worrying statistic, revealed at the launch of a new Camra book, is the result of a growing number of investors who are buying the country inns and converting them into private homes.

Mark Haslam, from Herefordshire Camra, claims this is a serious threat to our pub heritage.

"Pubs are closing that don't need to close and these people are denying other potential owners the right to experience the unique lifestyle that comes with being a country landlord," he explained.

"Camra offers support to any group who feel their local pub is under threat from those who only see country inns as an opportunity to acquire a twee rural home on the cheap," he added.

However, the emergence of smaller breweries has provided some better news for the county's ale lovers.

In Camra's previous guide of 1985, only three embryonic small breweries existed in Herefordshire and their distinctive beers were restricted to a few isolated pubs.

Today, six well-established county breweries are giving drinkers the chance to sample some home made beer at their local.

Wye Valley Brewery is one such, gaining national prestige for its fine beers.

More information regarding the successes and struggles of the county's drink industry is in Herefordshire Pubs: A Camra Guide to the County's Real Ale and Cider Pubs.