Alcohol can lead to serious damage of liver tissue

The makers say it will help users to take responsibility for their health, change unhealthy habits, and, if necessary, seek medical help.

However, experts warned against relying too heavily on the test.

The British Liver Trust said it only gave a snapshot of the health of the liver, and warned a good test result might encourage excessive drinking.

If you wait until evidence of liver damage shows up on a test you might be at risk of irreversible damage Alison Rogers British Liver Trust

It said people concerned about their health or about the risk of liver damage should seek advice from their doctor.

The LiverCheck test, which until now has only been available in hospitals and clinics, measures levels of two enzymes which leak into the blood from liver cells damaged by excessive alcohol intake.

Colour-coded warning

People who use the test send a tiny sample of their blood to a laboratory, and within a week receive the results which come with a colour-coded warning scale.

Those on dark amber or red urgently need to cut back on their drinking, or stop completely.

People whose results are off the scale will get a call from the laboratory, urging them to see a doctor.

Dr Rajiv Jalan, a liver expert at London's University College Hospital, said: "There is no doubt in my mind that it will save lives.

LIVER DAMAGE SYMPTOMS Pain in the liver (place your right hand over the lower right hand side of your ribs and it will cover the area of your liver) A general feeling of poor health and fatigue loss of appetite A sick, nauseous feeling, especially in the mornings, often accompanied by diarrhoea

"If someone knew they were going to get liver disease, they would do something about it.

"LiverCheck could avoid them getting to the stage where they are doing themselves real harm."

However, Professor Humphrey Hodgson, of the Royal Free Hospital and spokesperson for the British Liver Trust, said: "Alcohol can affect other organs in the body and a visit to your GP can assess all these areas and paint the bigger picture of your health.

"The last thing we want is the promotion of a false sense of security which results in people drinking at hazardous and harmful levels."

Alison Rogers, chief executive of the British Liver Trust, said many people had no idea that heavy drinking could cause significant damage to the liver.

"It is not just alcoholics who are at risk, but even people who perhaps share a bottle of wine at dinner every night," she said.

"The liver is very uncomplaining, so if you wait until evidence of liver damage shows up on a test or you experience symptoms, you might be at risk of irreversible damage."

The LiverCheck test, which costs �100, will be available online and by telephone.