A TRIO of Black Country boozers are cutting prices to protest against tax rules they say are unfair.

On Wednesday September 20 The Moon Under Water in High Street, Cradley Heath, The Britannia in Halesowen Street, Rowley Regis and The William Shenstone in Queensway, Halesowen, will drop the cost of all food and drink by 7.5 per cent.

The pubs are taking the action, which will last one day only, to support national Tax Equality Day, aimed at highlighting the benefit of a VAT reduction in the hospitality industry.

All food and drink in pubs is subject to 20 per cent VAT while supermarkets benefit have a zero VAT rate on all food.

Publicans say the big retailers use that saving to sell alcohol at a discounted rate.

Gabrielle Tandy, manager of The Moon Under Water, said: "We are keen to highlight the amount customers would save if VAT in pubs was lowered permanently.

"So, for example, the total price of a meal and drinks for an individual would be reduced from £10 to £9.25 on Tax Equality Day.

"A reduction in the level of VAT on a long-term basis will generate growth and create jobs in the important leisure and hospitality sector and help the high street of which pubs are in integral part."