DOZENS of pubs could soon be axed after a major chain announced it was putting some of its sites up for sale amid soaring costs. 

Marston's Brewery has put 61 pubs up for sale following a review of its estate in yet another blow for Britain's pub industry.

The chain has more than 1,400 pubs across the UK, but it said it now wants to 'maximise returns' by focusing on its core venues.

Pubs in the Midlands, Yorkshire, Sussex and Wales have been put on the market by Marston's. Among them is 192-year-old Crooked House, West Midlands, which is famed for is wonky design. 

The 'leaning boozer of Himley' in Dudley was built in 1765 as a farmhouse but became a pub in the 1830s.

Now it faces an uncertain future amid fears it could shut up shop for good if no buyers are found. 

Last year Marston's ramped up the price of a pint by 45p, breaking the £4 barrier in many areas for the first time. 

In a sign of how the industry is struggling, Wetherspoons was also forced to increase the cost of its beer and food amid ongoing closures.   

Last week the pub giant announced it had shut two pubs for good - while dozens more boozers remain in the firing line.

The state of the pub industry has worried the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), which says 21 pubs a week are closing or losing their licences.

Nik Antona, national chairman of the group, told MailOnline: "CAMRA is always concerned when pubs could be lost to the communities they serve. It is vital that these venues are marketed as going concerns and everything possible is done to secure their future as community pubs – including giving existing licensees first refusal of buying their pub.

"This news comes as CAMRA statistics show that 21 pubs a week are closing for business or losing their licences. This week’s Budget will be make or break for the future of many of our beloved locals up and down the country."

Here are the pubs that will be up for sale:

  • Admirals Table, Bridgwater
  • Albert Vaults, Holyhead
  • Bax Castle, Horsham
  • Bedford Arms, Derby
  • Bellflower, Preston
  • Blacksmiths, Wakefield
  • Blenheim, Derby
  • Blue Pig, Kidderminster
  • Bluebell, Telford
  • Bradford Arms, Oswestry
  • Bridge Inn, Richmond
  • Bull & Butcher, Nottingham
  • Bush Inn, Dudley
  • Crates & Grapes, Mansfield
  • Crooked House, Dudley
  • Cross Keys, Colwyn Bay
  • Derwent Walk, Consett
  • Duke of Wellington, Wrexham
  • Evergreen Inn, Tenby
  • Firebug, Leicester
  • Floaters Mill, Fence Houses
  • Fountain Inn, Stourbridge
  • Garibaldi Inn, Stourbridge
  • Gate Inn, Matlock
  • George Hotel, Penrith
  • Griffin, Halifax
  • Hampden Arms, Wrexham
  • Harlequin, Kettering
  • Harry Watkins, Llanelli
  • Heart of England, Northampton
  • Jacksons Wharf, Hartlepool
  • Jubilee Inn, Leicester
  • King Charles, Ross-on-Wye
  • King William, Dudley
  • Malt Shovel, Matlock
  • Marquess of Exeter, Oakham
  • Mitre Oak, Stourport-on-Trent
  • Oak Inn, Coventry
  • Oxleathers, Stafford
  • Pelican, Salisbury
  • Plough Inn, Newark
  • Randlay Farmhouse, Telford
  • Red Lion, Burton-on-Trent
  • Red Lion, Telford
  • Ring O'Bells, Mexborough
  • Rising Sun, Huddersfield
  • Rossmere, Cleveland
  • Rutland Arms, Nottingham
  • Saddlers Arms, Cardigan
  • Spills Meadow, Dudley
  • Spital Vaults, Chester
  • Strickland Arms, Penrith
  • Tafarn Pennionyn, Caernarfon
  • Tipsy Terrace, Cleethorpes
  • Top Monkey, Mold
  • Twthill Vaults, Caernarfon
  • Victoria Hotel, Dorchester
  • Wellington, Preston,
  • Wheatsheaf, Mansfield
  • White Lion, Wigan
  • White Swan Inn, York