A NATIONAL beer campaign group has joined a North Yorkshire MP's battle against cheap booze in supermarkets.

The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) has urged people to ask their MP to sign up to the parliamentary motion tabled by Selby MP John Grogan, which called on supermarkets to end irresponsible drinks promotions.

Mr Grogan said: "I welcome their decision. Camra are one of the most important consumer bodies in this field. I am pleased that that they are backing the motion and they are joining growing number of companies, brewers, doctors and police who have also given their support."

Camra attacked supermarkets for selling lager at just 5p-a-pint more than bottled water. A statement on their website said: "Camra, Members of Parliament, trade press and pub industry chiefs are calling for urgent action to prevent promotions that serve to exacerbate the problem of binge drinking."

Mr Grogan's motion was put forward in December and has already attracted the support of 56 MPs.

It was originally tabled to bring to the public's attention the low cost of alcohol in supermarkets, and claimed their low prices were undermining the efforts made by pubs to encourage responsible drinking.

It commended pubs for their "efforts to curb irresponsible drinking and promotions".

The motion also lambasted supermarkets, calling on them "to follow the example of pubs and act to end irresponsible drinks promotions and agree not to use alcohol as a loss leader on their premises".

Mr Grogan's call has also been welcomed in York.

Elaine Curtis, acting manager of York Alcohol Advice Service (YAAS), said: "Binge drinking is a nationwide problem, it's getting worse and the availability of cheap alcohol is exacerbating the situation. The fact that you can go into supermarket and get so much alcohol for such a cheap price is definitely concerning.

"Added to that, you've got the popularity of York for people coming in from outside the area for stag and hen parties.

"That is something which is contributing to the binge drinking culture here. The things that we are trying to do at the YAAS are strongly reflected in this motion."

The Night Task Group, part of the Safer York Partnership has also backed the campaign.

John Lacy, City of York licensing manager and chairman of the task group, said: "York needs to be made a safer place.

"We need to reduce binge drinking by encouraging retailers and licences not sell alcohol so cheaply. We back the campaign."

Yesterday, The Press revealed figures which showed how alcoholic liver disease was crippling more people in North Yorkshire and York than ever before. Liver specialist Alistair Turnbull said cheap drinks promotions - specifically in licensed premises - were partly responsible.