Liverpool's legendary brewer Cains Beer Company is fighting for survival and facing a winding-up petition from HM Revenue & Customs over unpaid duty and other liabilities.

It said it had agreed a payment plan but this was subject to approval from the company’s bankers.

Cains also announced the resignation of its finance director, Paul Morgan “with immediate effect” alongside today’s interim results which showed a pre-tax loss of £4.5m for the six months to April.

Brewery sales were down 14.9 per cent at £10.7m and like-for-like retail sales were down 15 per cent.

In a statement, the company said: “The directors believe that the group will be able to reach agreement with its bankers regarding appropriate levels of funding and accordingly this interim financial information has been prepared on a going concern basis.

"However, the directors do recognise that there is a material uncertainty related to this situation and the loss reported for the six month period which may cast significant doubt on the group's ability to continue as a going concern.”

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