FEARS that a drinks price war could erupt in Bournemouth have been raised by the town's biggest nightclub slashing the price of selected alcoholic drinks.

Police and council officials are keeping a close eye on whether the move by Lava & Ignite, formerly known as Elements, could force other pubs and clubs to drop their prices.

Pubs and clubs in Bournemouth Town Watch had been voluntarily sticking to a minimum price of £1.50 breach of the organisation's responsible operators' policy.

Alan Dove, chairman of Town Watch, slammed its action as "a cheap tactic" and said he did not think selling drinks at 1980s prices was sustainable.

"Our remit is crime reduction. There are concerns that this doesn't help," he said. "There are all sorts of implications if one big operator is dropping prices. It could trigger the sort of problems we had on Firvale Road five years ago, where deep discounting led to problems on the street."

He hopes talks involving the police, council and the club's owner, Luminar Leisure, can resolve the situation.

A spokesman for Luminar Leisure said: "We are starting to introduce this in places where people just aren't going out because of the credit crunch and supermarkets are offering cheap drink. It's a crisis situation.

"We're trying to do it in a responsible manner. We're not going to serve anyone who's inebriated. The majority of people know their limits. We're not going to introduce it on Friday and Saturdays as yet, although that might change."

Cllr David Smith, cabinet member for community, said Luminar was "sticking up two fingers" at Town Watch, even though the club was a member.

"It's a backward step. Along with the police, we will be watching the situation very carefully and will take appropriate action if necessary," he pledged.

Inspector Neil McBean, of Bournemouth police, said: "I am disappointed, but one of the positive benefits could be an end to preloading.

"I would rather see people consuming cheaper alcohol within a regulated environment, where security is relatively safe and where consumption can be monitored. I'm confident licensees will address the issue of excessive drinking because they know it's now a lot easier for them to infringe the licensing act."

Alison Rogers, chief executive of the Ringwood-based British Liver Trust, said: "Alcohol should not be available at pocket money prices. We need action to protect people's health and stop health harm from alcohol use spiralling out of control."

to discourage binge drinking and help reduce crime and antisocial behaviour.

But Lava & Ignite has now broken ranks to sell drinks including house spirits, vodka shots and bottled beer for 80p on Monday nights.

At a meeting on Wednesday, members of Bournemouth Town Watch agreed that the club was in breach of the organisation's responsible operators' policy.

Alan Dove, chairman of Town Watch, slammed its action as "a cheap tactic" and said he did not think selling drinks at 1980s prices was sustainable.

"Our remit is crime reduction. There are concerns that this doesn't help," he said.

"There are all sorts of implications if one big operator is dropping prices. It could trigger the sort of problems we had on Firvale Road five years ago, where deep discounting led to problems on the street."

He hopes talks involving the police, council and the club's owner, Luminar Leisure, can resolve the situation.

A spokesman for Luminar Leisure said: "We are starting to introduce this in places where people just aren't going out because of the credit crunch and supermarkets are offering cheap drink. It's a crisis situation.

"We're trying to do it in a responsible manner. We're not going to serve anyone who's inebriated. The majority of people know their limits. We're not going to introduce it on Friday and Saturdays as yet, although that might change."

Cllr David Smith, cabinet member for community, said Luminar was "sticking up two fingers" at Town Watch, even though the club was a member.

"It's a backward step. Along with the police, we will be watching the situation very carefully and will take appropriate action if necessary," he pledged.

Inspector Neil McBean, of Bournemouth police, said: "I am disappointed, but one of the positive benefits could be an end to preloading.

"I would rather see people consuming cheaper alcohol within a regulated environment, where security is relatively safe and where consumption can be monitored. I'm confident licensees will address the issue of excessive drinking because they know it's now a lot easier for them to infringe the licensing act."