Charity: restrict alcohol displays in stores

Alcohol Concern has called for a ban on supermarket alcohol sales near everyday items such as milk and bread.

A survey across one day in Cardiff by the group found widespread use of the tactic among major supermarkets.

For example, Tesco had bottles of spirits next to tea and bread, Asda had bottles of wine at the fish, meat and deli counters, and Sainsbury's had beer next to cheese.

Alcohol Concern chief executive Don Shenker said: "It's now common practice to sell wine next to ready-meals, pushing the idea that a relaxing meal should be accompanied by an alcoholic drink.

"Such practices help fuel a drinking culture where one in four people in England are already drinking at levels that are harming their health."

Alcohol Concern said its survey of 1,000 supermarket customers in Wales found 70% backed its proposal.

Restrictions on where alcohol can be sold already exist in Scotland.

However, the British Retail Consortium and the Wine & Spirit Trade Association argued that such a ban would have no impact on alcohol misuse.