Parents who still believe that their children’s pocket money does not stretch far beyond the occasional shandy should think again.

The average 12 to 16-year-old has alarming spending power, thanks to the bargain basement prices offered by off-licences and supermarkets.

The average weekly allowance of £9.53 will buy no less than one 2.5litre bottle of Frosty Jack white cider (25 per cent extra free); a half-bottle of vodka, 22 per cent alcohol; two cans of lager and a couple of cider.

A liquid shopping trip by The Times showed just how much alcohol can be bought with the pocket money of a typical teenager.

At the Payless Food and Wine store in Peckham, South London, it is possible to buy a bumper bottle of extra-strength cider, or a 1.5litre bottle of white wine, and four cans of strong lager for £6.41 – the average weekly allowance for a 7 to 11-year-old.

Girls aged 12-16, who get the higher allowance, according to research, could in theory buy a bumper bottle of wine, a small bottle of spirits, a can of cider and a large bottle of WKD Irn Bru-flavoured alcopop.

With numerous deals featured in the refrigerated shelves, boys in the same age group are offered similar value for money when spending their weekly total of £9.32. They can take advantage of “six cans for a fiver”, stocking up on Stella Artois, Carling or Special Brew, and still have enough left for a £2.99 bottle of Buckfast and a packet of ten Park Royal cigarettes. An extra £1.29 will get them a can of Gold Label – “very strong [8.5 per cent] special beer”.

At the Beer and Food Discount Centre, in Newcastle upon Tyne, neon cardboard stickers advertise two-for-£5 offers on large bottles of alcoholic drinks. The cheapest drinks include bottles of sweet Lambrini from £1.99 and Sound brand fizzy alcopops, two for £5 or £2.99 each.

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