Men examine various bottles of beer
© AFP/File John MacDougall

London, Jan 9: Supermarkets in Britain are being accused of encouraging binge drinking by selling lager at a lower price than water.

As part of bargain booze promotions, at least one chain is offering beer at 54 pence a pint, while a 750ml bottle of the best known bottled water brand, Perrier, sells for the equivalent of 57p.

The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) found that Sainsbury's has been selling Carling lager for 54p a pint - or 9.99 pounds for a pack of 24 440ml cans.

Meanwhile Morrison's has been selling Grolsch at 16 pounds for 40x300ml bottles (the equivalent of 76p a pint) while Tesco has offered Budweiser at 9.98 pounds for 20x300ml bottles (95p a pint).

MPs, campaigners and the pub industry say supermarkets are fueling binge drinking in their drive to win customers.

John Grogan MP, chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group, has tabled an Early Day Motion urging supermarkets and off-licenses to end 'irresponsible' drinks promotions.

'Supermarkets are abusing their power at some considerable social and economic cost,' the Daily Mail quoted him as saying.

Camra chief executive Mike Benner called the price deals 'reckless, irresponsible and dangerous'.

However all three chains rejected the claim they were encouraging binge drinking.

'We support sensible drinking and while we do run promotions on beer and other products, we wholly support the Government's weekly alcohol consumption guidelines. In addition, we publish the units of alcohol on all our own label beers, wines and spirits products' a Sainsbury's spokesman said. (ANI)