A landlord facing eviction has started a hunger strike and 'wake’ in protest at rent and beer prices at his three pubs.

Lying in an open coffin in the bar, Colm Powell, 44, the tenant at the Punch and Judy pub, St Stephens Street, Tonbridge, began fasting on Monday .

His protest is expected to last until next Wednesday when he is due to be served with an eviction notice by the owners, Enterprise Inns.

Mr Powell, who is also tenant at the Ivy House and Station House, both also in Tonbridge, blamed Enterprise Inns for squeezing his profit margin by increasing rents and beer prices since it bought the pubs five years ago from Whitbread.

He added: “I am due to be served an eviction notice on October 8 because I have broken the conditions of my lease on the pubs. I have stopped buying beer from them because they are quite expensive.”

In an open letter to the company’s chief executive, Ted Tuppen, Mr Powell claimed exorbitant rent and a steep mark up on tied beers was taking 55 per cent of his potential profit.

“You pass on all price rises to me, instantly, squeezing my margin and leaving me to deal with the customers and the market forces.”

Mr Powell, whose Punch and Judy pub won the Kent Pub of the Year in 1996, also blamed rising duty on alcohol and the smoking ban for hitting the pub trade.

Pub staff are lighting five night lights in the bar each day of Mr Powell’s fast to mark the number of pubs closing across Britain daily.

He has started a website called www.dyingforthepubtrade.co.uk where supporters can sign a condolence book.

Vicky Averis, of Enterprise Inns, said: “Enterprise Inns has sought and obtained judgment for possession of the three pubs that Mr Powell leased from the company. Mr Powell has been unable to meet the obligations contained in the lease agreements.

“We have sought to help Mr Powell with deferred payment terms, special discounts, a late licence application and a permanent rent reduction. Despite this, Mr Powell continued to breach the terms of his agreements, eventually leaving us with no alternative but to seek possession.”