Bars could be banned from offering free alcohol to women, it has been reported.

Other proposals being considered by the Government include restrictions on free tastings and happy hour offers.

Compulsory health warnings wherever alcoholic drinks are sold could also be introduced, while wine in restaurants could have to be served in glasses with marked measures.

The Home Office and the Department of Health confirmed that draft proposals were issued as part of a consultation on the Government's alcohol strategy - Safe, Sensible, Social - which is due to end on Tuesday.

It is aimed at guiding a policy that will enable people to drink sensibly and to cut public drunkenness and associated health and social problems.

But the drinks industry reacted with anger to the plans for a code, saying it needed red tape like a "hole in the head".

Mark Hastings, of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: "With the Prime Minister and the Chancellor busy trying to frenetically resurrect the UK economy it seems perverse that the Department of Health and Home Office seem intent on burying businesses beneath a blizzard of red tape."

He added: "At a time when the economy and business is under severe pressure it's Government's role to support business not send in a wrecking crew with the ball and chain of further regulation.

"Government needs to wake up to the fact that five pubs a day are closing in Britain."

A Home Office spokesman said: "It was made clear to stakeholders that the draft was not a statement of Government policy but for illustrative purposes only. The Department of Health consultation ends on October 14 and no decisions have been taken as yet."

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