In just 5 years under Labour - between 2004 and 2009 - some 572 pubs are said to have been permanently lost following a sale with a restrictive covenant, potentially depriving thousands of regulars of an important community asset.
Graham, who has consistently campaigned to support local pubs, said: 'Pubs are hubs of community life, as important to the local social scene as they are to the local economy here in Cheshire. But time is being called at too many of our 'locals', depriving people of treasured places to get together in the community.
'We are putting the people back in charge, giving them the power to step in and save their much-loved community assets. By reviewing this restrictive red tape we will enable people to use their collective powers to ensure that their locals remain local and continue to thrive at the heart of every community.'