A top doctor has backed calls for a minimum price to be imposed on alcohol.

Brighton and Hove director of public health Tom Scanlon said having less cheap wine, beers and spirits available would be an important step in reducing the impact alcohol has on the city.

Dr Scanlon said he supported the drive, which originated in Greater Manchester, that is calling for local authorities to introduce a local price on alcohol.

Campaigners are lobbying for a minimum charge of 50p per unit, which would work out at a minimum of £4.50 for a standard bottle of wine and £4 for a four-pack of lager.

However, he said that all councils around the country would have to join and support the scheme or it would never work.

He said: “There would not be a lot of point if people were told alcohol was more expensive in Brighton and Hove but could simply head over to Worthing and get it there.

“It is obviously just an idea but I think it is an interesting initiative and one that is worth looking at and talking about.

“If there was enough groundswell of opinion then things could be developed in the future.”

Sussex Police head of licensing Jean Irving said the price and easy availability of alcohol in the city was something the force took seriously.

She said: “If you go out with £5 and say, for example, it costs £1 for a pint then you are going to have five pints.

“However if it costs £2.50, you will only have two.

“Obviously, the cheaper it is, the more people are going to buy it.

"I have seen deals in supermarkets where people are paying the equivalent of 50p for a pint of lager.”

The latest local alcohol profiles show drink is having a serious impact on people’s health and wellbeing, with rising numbers of people admitted to hospital with alcohol-related illnesses.

Sussex police work closely with pubs and clubs in the city centre to keep drink-related fights, assaults and other crime down.

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