BOURNEMOUTH East MP Tobias Ellwood said the town had “suffered” from an excess of bars during a parliamentary debate on the new minimum alcohol price.

He spoke after Home Secretary Theresa May announced the new price rule would be part of its alcohol strategy.

The minimum price of 40p per unit is supposed to reduce consumption by one billion units a year by 2015.

Conservative Mr Ellwood told parliament: “This is an important issue which concerns Bournemouth.

“We have a vibrant and popular town centre as part of the local economy.

“However, it has suffered because of the previous government and their reckless Licensing Act, which has been very costly to the town centre.

“The residents are concerned that there are simply too many pubs and clubs there.

“Will my right honourable friend expand on her comments on density and powers that might be given to local authorities?”

Mrs May replied: “My honourable friend is absolutely right.

“Sadly, many towns and cities across the country have felt the impact of Labour’s Licensing Act in the same way as Bournemouth.

“We will enable local authorities to take into account the density of licensed premises in a town centre when they are determining applications.”