PUBS in Colchester have welcomed the Government pressure on supermarkets to tackle binge drinking.

Prime Minister David Cameron has unveiled a new alcohol strategy to tackle what he described as the scandal of public drunkenness.

Mr Cameron said pubs and supermarkets needed to make responsible drinking more than “just a slogan”.

Leaders of Colchester Pubwatch praised the focus on solutions instead of blaming pubs and clubs.

Andy Starr, vice-chairman, said: “Our members are very responsible with measures and pricing, but suffer greatly with pre-loaded guests, those who drink at home first, arriving in the town centre.

“Our members can control consumption, supermarkets cannot.

“We agree with the Prime Minister supermarkets should take responsibility and it is interesting David Cameron is starting to realise supermarkets have a role to play.

“Alcohol sales from supermarkets greatly exceed the pub, bar or club operators’ spend per head.

“Our members have been waiting for a senior politician to question and ultimately make the supermarkets more responsible.”

Mr Cameron said ways of tackling the problem include more booze buses, such as the Colchester SOS bus, to take the pressure off hospitals.

Wayne Powell, co-ordinator of the Colchester SOS Bus, said the service had kept more than 3,500 people out of hospital over the past three years.

He said: “The main thing is funding. If the Government is starting to talk about it, then perhaps they can start funding services like ours.”

Mr Cameron also said American-style “drunk tanks”, where people stay overnight to sober up, could be introduced.