Seven pints a week: The average alcohol intake of children in Yorkshire

Children aged 11 to 15 who are drinkers consume 16.3 units on average - the second highest figure in England.

In the north east, the figure is even higher, with boys consuming 20.2 units a week on average, and girls drinking 15.5 units. The figures are the equivalent of nearly two bottles of wine or eight pints of lager.

In the South East, children drink 13.5 units a week while in the South West the figure is 14.2.

The average consumption figures for children, measured by those who have drunk alcohol in the last week, was released by the NHS Information Centre.

In London, 39% of 11- to 15-year-olds have drunk alcohol ever in their lives, varying between 51% in the East Midlands to 63% in the North East.

Eleven to 15-year-olds in the North East are the most likely both to smoke and to drink alcohol, the data also showed.

A total of 42% of 11- to 15-year-olds in the North East had smoked at least once in their lives.

However, they are among the least likely in their age group to take cannabis.

The data represents findings for the period 2006 to 2008.

Tim Straughan, chief executive of the NHS Information Centre, said: "The report shows there are significant regional differences in the percentages of young people who smoke, drink or use drugs.

"It is interesting to note that London has such comparatively low levels of drink, drug and alcohol use among its 11- to 15-year-olds."

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