Minimum alcohol pricing 'helps binge drinkers, not alcoholics'

Ministers are proposing a minimum price of 45p a unit for the sale of alcohol in England and Wales as part of a drive to tackle problem drinking.

The Home Office has launched a 10-week consultation on the plan, arguing it will help reduce the levels of ill-health and crime related to alcohol.

Pressure has been mounting on the government to follow Scotland's lead, where 50p a unit has been proposed.

Recovering alcoholic Gary Topley told BBC News that he believes minimum alcohol pricing could reduce binge drinking but would not reduce alcoholism.