Mecca Bingo has launched a nationwide manifesto calling on bingo fans up and down the country to unite their voices against the government’s increased taxation plans.

I’m Backing Bingo aims to put an end to the proposed tax hike threatening Britain’s bingo halls, with more than 40,000 players already signed up to fight for the cause.

The bingo provider hopes to preserve Blighty’s bingo tradition as an establishment of culture that shouldn’t be taxed the highest rate of any form of gambling activity.

Subject to the tax proposals, land-based bingo halls and clubs will be forced to pay 22 per cent compared to the 15 per cent levied on all other gambling sectors.

In response to the government’s recent dismissal of appeals to scrap the ‘unfair’ tax, MP Stuart Hosie said: "Labour has hung the bingo industry out to dry. This amendment was a chance to do the right thing by the bingo industry and they have failed."

Thousands of Brits across the UK rely on bingo as their main pastime and source of social interaction.