Health campaigners, MPs and councillors have joined forces to criticise the sale of cut-price alcohol in Bristol.

From Monday pints of beer will be sold for just 99p at the city's nine Wetherspoon's pubs.

Although the pub chain promises to serve drinkers responsibly, Dr Chris Payne, director of public health at South Gloucestershire primary care trust (PCT), said: "Alcohol related admissions are on the increase for both men and women, and there has certainly been an increase in binge drinking in young people.

"This sort of move could make this worse, as there is a clear link between pricing and alcohol consumption. I think it is particularly bad timing when people are making their New Year's resolutions to try and cut down. These deals will make it more difficult for them."

Alcohol is implicated in 35 per cent of attendances in A&E in the greater Bristol area, and young people are drinking twice as much as they were in 1990.

In South Gloucestershire, incidences of liver cirrhosis have approximately doubled in the last decade - a trend reflected in PCTs across the country.

The establishments will all be offering a pint of Greene King IPA and a bottle of San Miguel for 99p, as well as selling a bottle of Blossom Hill Rose wine for £4.99, a single measure of Sailor Jerry rum with a mixer for £1.29 and a bottle of Jacques cider for £3.99.

Wetherspoon's chief executive John Hutson said that no end date has been set for the latest reduced prices, which are at the same levels as they were in 1989.

He said: "Unlike most sales that start in January, our offers will not be ending within days, but will run indefinitely."

Cllr Ron Stone, chair of the city council's licensing committee, said he did not support the pub chain's move.

"I am not in favour of radical reductions in the prices of beer," said Mr Stone. "I don't mind special offers on a guest beer, but when they start reducing prices to levels in pence I think that starts to border on the irresponsible."

Stephen Binns, manager of The Commercial Rooms on Corn Street, said: "People enjoy going to the pub, however, I appreciate that the economic downturn means that they now have to be more careful with their money.

"I believe that my new food and drink prices will allow people to enjoy a visit to the pub without it costing them too much."

He added: "As always staff at the pub will serve customers responsibly."

The other pubs taking part are the V-Shed on the Harbourside; The Berkeley in Queens Road, Clifton; The St Georges Hall in Church Road, Redfield; The Robert Fitzharding in Cannon Street, Bedminster; The Staple Hill Oak in High Street, Staple Hill; The Knight's Templar in Temple Quay; The Kingswood Colliers in Regent Street, Kingswood; and The Van Dyke Forum in Fishponds Road, Fishponds.

Northavon Lib Dem MP Steve Webb said he that he saw Wetherspoon's move as a reaction to supermarkets selling alcohol at low prices.

He said: "Cheap booze in general is a problem, but I think the biggest issue is the supermarkets selling it cheaply.

"That not only drives pubs out of business, it also allows under age drinkers to have access to alcohol. This move is a reaction to the fact that pubs are undercut by supermarkets.

"If we sorted the supermarkets out the pubs would not have to do this."

Christina Gray, associate director of public health at Bristol PCT, said that cheap alcohol was only one factor in problem drinking.

She said: "The price and availability of alcohol is an issue but it cannot be looked at in isolation as there are many different factors that contribute to excessive drinking.

"What is important is that the alcohol industry continues to engage and work with health agencies and other public bodies to ensure that we can work through solutions to promote safe levels of drinking.

"We would encourage people to drink responsibly whether that is in the home or at a commercial venue, if people want to check out their safe drinking levels they can do so by logging onto www.NHS.uk or www.drinkaware.co.uk."

With alcohol 65 per cent more affordable than it was in 1980, in recent months doctors, charities and senior police officers have called on the government to introduce tough legislation to curb the drinks industry.

Discounts on booze in supermarkets and 'happy hours' in pubs have also come in for strong criticism.

Bristol addiction specialist Eleanor Mogford said that lowering alcohol prices so drastically will encourage binge drinking.

Ms Mogford said: "Selling pints of beer for 99 pence will only make people drink more. The temptation to drink to excess cheaply will be too much for many people."

A spokesperson for the Department of Health said: "The majority of people who drink enjoy alcohol sensibly. But we are committed to taking action to reduce the harms caused by those who don't - bars and clubs as well as supermarkets and shops have a role to play too.

"The Government recently announced its intention to crack down on irresponsible promotions and impose new standards on the alcohol industry. We have not ruled out taking action on very cheap alcohol."