Alcoholic drinks will carry new health warning labels by the end of 2008 under a voluntary agreement between ministers and the drinks industry.

The labels will detail alcoholic units and recommended safe drinking levels.

Bottles and cans currently have alcohol percentages, but only some state what this equals in alcoholic units.

UK Public Health Minister Caroline Flint said that exactly what the labels will say is not decided, but the warnings will not be as strong as for cigarettes.

The measure was first proposed three years ago, but both sides have struggled to agree on a format.

It is not known how many drinks firms will sign up for the scheme, but ministers said if the industry did not comply, the government would introduce legislation.

The proposed warning labels will include words such as “know your limits” or “drink responsibly”, and the number of units each drink contains.

They will also warn that drinking alcohol should be avoided if pregnant or trying to conceive.

They will also give the web address for the education campaign group Drink Aware.

More than seven million people drink more than the recommended daily amounts – three to four units for men and two to three units for women.

A small glass of wine, half a pint of beer or one measure of spirits are often taken as being one unit, but it depends on the percentage of alcohol the drink contains.

With some strong beers and ciders, a pint or a large bottle can add up to three units or more.