WOOLWORTHS has been accused of irresponsibility for linking petrol discounts and alcohol consumption.

The supermarket chain is offering a petrol discount coupon of 30¢ a litre to customers who buy two cases of beer or pre-mixed cans of spirits.

The discount is on top of the usual 4¢ a litre obtained on grocery purchases.

The Australian Automobile Association executive director, Andrew McKellar, said: ''This is a step too far. The message is get a gutful and then get a tankful and that's really not on.''

Woolworths' group manager of retail communications, Claire Kimball, dismissed the criticism as unfair.