A public health expert believes alcohol should have a minimum price of 60 pence per unit to make a “considerable” impact on Scotland’s booze culture.

Dr Emily Crighton, convener of the Faculty of Public Health in Scotland, insisted there was an "overwhelming case" that cheap drink was damaging Scotland's health.

According to the doctor research has shown almost 900 lives a year could be saved if prices were set at a higher level.

Scotland has one of the fasted growing rates of chronic liver disease in the world with one in 20 deaths attributable to alcohol.

She said: "The evidence shows that a considerable public health impact would be achieved at 60p per unit of alcohol sold.

"Research suggests that 866 alcohol-related deaths each year would be prevented by the introduction of a 60 pence minimum price once the policy is in full effect."

She spoke out after delegates at the faculty's Scottish conference in Peebles unanimously voted in favour of minimum pricing for alcohol.

The Scottish Government has already put forward plans for a minimum price for alcohol as part of measures to tackle the country's drink problem.

Dr Crighton added: "As prices have dropped, consumption has risen."

She said alcohol was now 70% more affordable than in 1980, adding that consumption had increased by around 20% over this period.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon welcomed the support for minimum pricing from "those at the sharp end protecting public health".

Ms Sturgeon said: "Critics claim minimum pricing would raise the price of all drinks and punish moderate drinkers. But that just doesn't stack up.