Licensees' group folds

It is the end of an era for licensees in Telford after the town's Licensed Victuallers' Association held its final meeting.

The LVA, formed in 1953, was wound up at the Duke of York, in Oakengates, yesterday following the retirement of long-time secretary and landlords' champion Eddie Maine.

Trish Taggart, group chairman for nine years, gave a closing speech in which she outlined the crisis facing the pub trade, which has led to the LVA's decline.