PLANS to charge a minimum of 50p per unit of alcohol have been welcomed by East Lancashire pubs.

But Nigel Evans, Ribble Valley MP and vice chair of the All Party Beer Group, said proposal was just “a gimmick” and predicted it would simply lead to more pubs closing.

The Government’s top medical officer is expected to recommend tomorrow that there is a minimum charge of 50p per unit of alcohol.

This would see a can of beer costing at least £1 and bottles of wine a minimum of £4.50.

Officials from the Department of Health say their research showed the move could reduce alcohol consumption by around seven per cent.

The plan aims to tackle alcohol misuse, but some critics believe it would it would also punish responsible drinkers.

Geoff Sutcliffe, from the East Lancs Licensed Victuallers’ Association representing the area’s pubs, said plan was a sensible idea, but warned it would not change Britain’s drinking culture overnight.

Mr Sutcliffe, landlord at the Rising Sun, Whalley New Road, Brownhill, said many young people had taken to buying ‘bargain’ drinks from supermarkets in recent years before heading out into towns.

He said: “50p per unit is still reasonable and is line with what pubs would charge.

“It might put an end to a habit some young people have of getting a £10 bottle of vodka to drink before they go out.

“Another problem is more people who are drinking at home, but have no idea how many units they are drinking.

“Most people are moderate drinkers, and this won’t affect them too much.”

But Mr Evans branded the plans as “a disaster”.

He said: “It won’t deal with binge drinking, it won’t deal with alcoholism but it will make more in taxes for the government.

“It is also likely to make things even harder in the pub industry where already 40 pubs a week are closing.

“The real problem is the supermarkets and 50p a unit isn’t going to change much for them.

"Binge drinkers will carry on just the same as before.”