The UK's Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has welcomed the news that pubs and restaurants will be allowed to continue serving fortified wines, such as port and sherry, in 100ml measures.

Earlier drafts of the legislation surrounding drinks measures had suggested that outlets could be restricted to 50ml or 70ml servings.

New regulations, which are due to come into force in October this year, will allow multiples of port and sherry to be served in the customary 100ml measures, as well as permitting smaller servings of wine to be sold as samples.

"This flexibility will allow different fortified wines to be served in appropriate measures and, along with the move on 'sample' size wine servings, offers some much needed de-regulation that the whole trade can welcome," commented Jeremy Beadles, chief executive of the WSTA.

In December, a survey by the organisation found that one-third of British adults would consider buying wine from an online source, although just one in seven have done so.