SUPER-STRENGTH white cider should be banned or made much more expensive to protect young people against alcohol harm, a Labour MP has said.

Mary Glindon urged Prime Minister Theresa May to outlaw the drink as she raised the case of a constituent whose 16-year-old daughter died after drinking 1.5 litres of the beverage.

Ms Glindon, the MP for North Tyneside, said at Prime Minister’s Questions: “My constituent Joanne Good’s 16-year-old daughter, Megan, tragically died after drinking half a three-litre bottle of Frosty Jack’s cider which is 7.5 per cent proof and at under £4 a bottle contains 22 vodka shot-equivalents.

“Does the Prime Minister accept that cheap, super-strength white cider is a health hazard and should be banned or at the very least carry a much higher duty per unit?”

Mrs May offered her “deepest sympathies” to the 16-year-old’s family.

She said: “It is an important issue and we do as a Government recognise the harm that is associated with problem consumption of alcohol.

“We have taken action through the duty system so these high-strength ciders and beers are taxed more than equivalent lower strength products.

“We have also taken action on very cheap alcohol by banning sales below duty plus VAT.”

Balance, the North East Alcohol Office, said the Government had not gone far enough and high strength white ciders currently had a lower duty per unit than any other alcohol product.

Balance director Colin Shevills said: “It’s not right that our current tax system means industrial strength white cider can be sold so cheaply. “Because it’s so affordable and easily available, it is often the drink of choice for some of the most vulnerable members of society, including young people and dependent drinkers.

“We urgently need the Government to take action to protect our children by increasing duty on high-strength cider at the next Budget.”