The UK's biggest brewer, Scottish & Newcastle, has announced plans to label its cans and bottles with a health warning.

The company aims to combat binge drinking with the warnings, which will appear on Newcastle Brown ale, extending next year to brands such as Fosters, Kronenbourg and John Smith's.

Scottish & Newcastle claims that it will become the first major brewer in the world to put general health warnings on beer bottles when the initiative starts next month.

The warnings will be similar to those found on cigarette packets and will also promote website drinkaware.co.uk, which allows people to compare their alcohol intake with government guidelines.

The labels will detail recommended drinking limits for both men and women, state how many units are in each can or bottle, and give specific advice for pregnant woman and drivers.

The UK Government is becoming increasingly concerned about levels of binge drinking in Britain and other brewers are expected to follow Scottish & Newcastle's example. Coors, which brews Carling and Grolsch lagers, has said it will introduce a similar policy next year.

Health secretary John Reid welcomed the announcement, saying: "Companies making it simple to understand exactly the amount of alcohol in their particular drink brands and providing straightforward ways to access advice on problem drinking is a major step forward."

http://www.hda-online.org.uk