PUBS and clubs are being made the scapegoats for the so-called binge drink-ing culture and have to deal with too much overbearing legislation.

However, I really feel the biggest issue here is supermarkets (Ban cheap drinks from stores call, Daily Echo, March 4).

How can it be fair that a supermarket is permitted to heavily discount alcohol, encouraging bulk buying, when the government is considering banning pubs and clubs from using drinks promotions and happy hours altogether?

Secondly, and more importantly, whereas pub staff have a legal obligation to restrict the sale of alcohol to intoxicated persons, I have visited several supermarkets in a clearly intoxicated condition, purchased large quantities of alcohol, and walked out without a glimmer of a challenge.

If a pub/club did this, the staff face a personal fine of £80 and possibly a criminal record!

Time and again, I have witnessed under-age drinkers just outside the front door of a supermarket, all clearly inebriated, drinking alcohol bought in the store.

If a pub allowed this, they could face criminal charges. If the government is serious about reducing binge drinking, the best way would be to restrict the supermarkets in the types of alcohol they can sell, and the price it is sold at.

Rob Powell-Thomas, Sway Social Club, Sway