Moves to give more power to the people of Carmarthenshire could help save local pubs such as the Farmers Arms in Llanybri, local MP Simon Hart has told the House of Commons. Mr Hart spoke in favour of the Localism Bill when it was introduced in the House of Commons this week.

The Bill aims to remove power from central Government and give more control to local communities and councils. "There were cheers from far flung corners of Britain that accompanied the announcement of this Bill," Mr Hart told the chamber.

"To be honest, anything with the words decentralisation or localism in the title has generated significant enthusiasm. For people in particularly isolated areas of Britain this Bill is an important step forward."

Included in the wide-ranging Bill are steps to: let voluntary groups bid to run council services such as arts venues and pools, major changes to the planning system and for local communities to be able to buy assets such as shops or pubs which are under threat.

Certain buildings would be placed on a "most wanted" list and if they are put up for sale, the local community would be given time to develop a bid and raise the money.

Mr Hart said: "The background is simple and stark: 30,000 independent retailers have gone in the past 25 years; 20% of rural post offices have gone; one primary school a month has gone; banks and petrol stations have gone; and 39 pubs a week are going.

"The Bill steps in the right direction to shore up those vital institutions by ensuring that, where possible and viable, local communities are enabled to get in the way of people who might have other, perhaps financially driven, motives with regard to those services.

"I think of the great Farmers Arms in Llanybri, a lovely pub which at the moment is closed, despite the fact that a number of residents see it as viable and important, and want it retained for the good of the community."

Mr Hart also welcomed the changes that are proposed for the planning system.

"The Bill stresses the need to locate affordable houses where there is a demand and where there are jobs," he added. "It also refers to the fact that planners need to be more rigid in ensuring that unscrupulous developers do not exploit the planning system for their own financial gain at the expense of the community.

"It is sensible that the planning element of the Bill refers to the availability of jobs, recognises the significance of culture and, of course, highlights the importance of community, which lies at the heart of localism and of everybody who cares deeply about their rural community, for whatever reason."