Thousands of private members' clubs across Scotland will soon be operating as regular pubs if, as expected, century-old regulations are changed.

The Scottish Executive is proposing to allow the nation's 2000 registered clubs 56 occasions a year when they can abandon their members-only rules and serve cut-price alcohol to the general public.

The move is being seen as a lifeline to organisations such as Labour and miners' welfare associations, bowling clubs, and the British Legion. With dwindling memberships, they face a struggle to survive.

The move has incensed the mainstream licensed trade, which claims it has not been consulted on the creation of a potential rival "on an uneven playing field".

It could become an election issue, with some in the trade asking whether a proposal which would benefit bastions of Labour support is deliberately timed to coincide with the May 3 polling day.

Since 1903, registered clubs have been unable to sell alcohol. In theory, members take their own stock and replace it with cash, and the public remains excluded.

But a combination of tax and rates exemptions and ability to operate outside normal licensing legislation, has left the mainstream trade wanting clubs to be brought into line for some time. It has now emerged that the Scottish Executive is planning an overhaul.

The issue dominated Tuesday's annual meeting of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, which claims it became aware of the plans only the previous day.

Chief executive Paul Waterson, who questioned the timing of the plans, said: "This has caused consternation in the ranks and we only found out about it by pure accident. Clubs don't have the same restrictions as us. Staff don't require training, no manager is required, and they can sell at a lot cheaper."

Janet Hood, of the British Institute of Innkeeping, said: "This could drive rural pubs and hotels out of business."

Patrick Browne, of the Scottish Beer and Pub Association, said it would create an "uneven playing field".

But the executive said there had been a long-standing promise to clubs and that licensing boards would have the discretion whether to award occasional licences.

A spokeswoman said: "The purpose is to allow registered clubs increased flexibility to host occasional licences for special events and festivals up to a maximum of 14 (consecutive) days, such as a working man's club being granted an occasional licence to allow it to open up to the community for a gala event. It is in no way intended to increase competition to existing licensed trade.

"We have consulted and engaged fully with stakeholders across the licensed trade."