CONSERVATIVE proposals to cut anti-social behaviour by young people through tax rises on so called problem drinks have been welcomed by the party's Wyre Forest Westminster hopeful.

Mark Garnier, Wyre Forest Conservative parliamentary spokesman, said the drinks had been identified by alcohol concern organisations as among the most problematic alcohol drinks available in Britain.

They included binge drink favourites such as alcopops and super-strength beers and ciders.

Unlike the Labour Government's plans, said Mr Garnier, the package was designed to be revenue neutral, giving tax cuts to lower alcohol content drinks.

Similar approaches had been successful in reducing the consumption of problem drinks in Australia and Germany.

Mr Garnier said: "I am delighted by these proposals. They are specifically designed to target those areas that most concern residents of Wyre Forest.

"On a recent survey that I conducted across the district, one of the biggest worries from residents was that of anti-social behaviour in town centres by youngsters being the worse for wear after drinking.

"This is a scourge that causes damage and litter in towns, it frightens local residents and it uses valuable police resources.

"This measure is the first that I have seen that directly tries to tackle the problems."

Among key elements of the proposals are a duty increase on alcopops, strong beer and strong cider and a tax cut for low-strength beer and cider.

The UK's most popular beers and ciders, including Carling, John Smiths, Guinness, Stella Artois, Strongbow and Magners, would not be affected.