The traditional English pub in Epping could be a thing of the past within 20 years if the current rate of closures continue.

That was the shocking news from Brendan Sothcott, from industry body the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra), who spoke out after the final nail in the coffin for two more pubs in the district this week.

The 19th Century pub The Oaks, in Forest Road, Loughton, closed its doors for the last time this week, while the Sixteen String Jack, in Coppice Row, Theydon Bios, looks to be going the way of many of its fellow boozers, with an application to turn it into 13 apartments being submitted this week.

According to Camra, there are now only 54,490 pubs left in the country - with six to eight closing every week in London and the South East.

Mr Sothcott told the Guardian: “Throughout Essex two pubs a week are closing, and in 20 years there could potentially be no pubs left."

For more on this story see tomorrow's Epping Forest Guardian.