PUBS across south Essex have been criticised over controversial plans to sell pints of beer and shots for just 99p.

The Moon on the Square, in Basildon, the Blue Boar, in Billericay, the Last Post, in Southend, the Elms, in Leigh, and the Roebuck, in Rayleigh, will offer cut-price booze for the first two weeks of January.

The move, which will see selected pints of beer, glasses of wine, shots of gin, and bottles of lager sold for 99p, has controversially been hailed by brewery JD Wetherspoon as its January sale.

A statement on its website said: ‘We all love a bargain after Christmas. Heading off to the January sales is now as traditional as Christmas itself.”

Don Shenker, spokesman for the Alcohol Concern charity, has led criticism of the promotion.

He said: “Alcohol causes harm to the nation’s health and economy, and there appears to be a strong link between cheap alcohol and the high levels of binge drinking.”

Andrew Baggott, Basildon Council’s councillor responsible for community, said: “I don’t like to tell companies how to run their businesses, or stop people having access to entertainment at a low price. But I do have grave reservations about this move.

“I hope I am wrong, but I would anticipate increased pressure on the police and the hospital at the start of the new year as a result of this.”

Ian Robertson, Southend councillor responsible for public protection, said: “I am relaxed about people who drink responsibly, which is by far the majority. A small minority cause the problems.”

JD Wetherspoon spokesman, Eddie Gershon, said: “Shops hold their sales in January, so we thought it would be a good idea to have a sale in the pub too.

“The drinks on sale is aimed as suiting a variety of tastes. Wetherspoon will run the promotion from January 4 to 19.