DRINKERS of draught beer and cider can look forward to better protection against short measure.

Surveys carried out by trading standards officers show that too many pints are less than full measure.

One in five is short by more than five per cent, despite industry guidance that 95 per cent liquid should be a minimum.

Until now trading standards officers have been hindered in their efforts to prevent short measures because the law is unclear about how much the consumer should receive.

But the Government has outlined new proposals to clarify the law to ensure that drinkers get a better deal.

The proposals are that a pint is to be defined as 100 per cent liquid, including liquid in the head but excluding the gas. Landlords should serve 100 per cent liquid on average and never serve less than 95 per cent liquid. And frothy beers and ciders are to be served in lined glasses, or from metered dispensers.

The moves have been welcomed by drinkers' groups.

Brendan Boyle, of the Darlington branch of Camra, said: "This is something we've been complaining about for years. If you buy a pint of milk, you get a full pint. If you buy a bottle of beer you get the stated quantity. Why should draught beer be different?"

The Government will be consulting interested parties who will have 12 weeks to respond.