Thousands of council workers have been banned from drinking alcohol on duty.

More than 8,000 staff at Brighton and Hove City Council, from part-time cleaners to the chief executive, have been told even half a pint at lunchtime is now a disciplinary offence.

Angry workers have accused their employers of attacking their human rights and a number of staff have already understood to have lodged formal grievances.

The public service union Unison today described the ban as "the most ludicrous council policy ever thought up" and threatened to mount a legal challenge.

Chief executive Alan McCarthy said: "This policy is about making sure we create a completely professional impression when dealing with the public. For example, I would not want any of our staff to deal with members of the public while smelling of alcohol."

But one worker told The Argus: "It's a waste of time. It's a stupid rule and to make it statutory policy is pointless. We don't have time to go to the pub and get legless. We might pop into the pub for lunch and a pint and by the time you order it and eat it, lunchtime is over.

"This sounds like something from the EU, like straightening bananas. Many of us have to meet the public so we don't drink because it wouldn't look good smelling of alcohol."

The council's drugs and and alcohol policy, which came into force on November 1, states that no worker should drink alcohol during the course of their normal shift, including meal breaks. This does not apply to after-work activities, formal or informal, such as evening receptions, conferences, celebrations and farewells.

Alex Knutsen, of Unison, said: "It is the most ludicrous council policy ever thought up. It's such a waste of time. This is a sledgehammer to crack a nut. If someone is under the influence of alcohol, you would use other policies to deal with them. This is almost some kind of religious thing. That's what it feels like."

Mr Knutsen joked that union members would be offered prizes in the next newsletter for catching managers on camera with alcoholic drinks in their hands.

He added: "People are saying it's an infringement of their rights."

David Watkins, the leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said: "I'm not aware that drinking during working hours is a problem with the workforce. I'm amazed it was thought necessary.

"First it's smoking, now it's drinking. What's next on the agenda?"

A spokesman for the council said the policy was not the result of a daytime drinking problem among staff.

He told The Argus: "We created this policy as up until now our guidelines on drink and drugs were spread throughout various documents.

"When we came to collate them into one cohesive drugs and alcohol policy we concluded that work and drink don't mix and a total ban was the most practical answer. More and more employers are taking this line and we are by no means the first."

Staff caught sneaking a drink during the day will be warned by their manager in the first instance. Disciplinary action would only be resorted to in extreme cases. Most employers have drug and alcohol policies but few have an outright ban.