Wine seen as best escape from stress

Some 61 per cent of adults said drinking was their top choice after a stressful day, while 28 per cent said spending time with their children helped them relax and 26 per cent opted for talking with their partner.

The small poll of 825 adults, for the industry-funded charity Drinkaware, found people battle stress with up to four drinks on a typical evening at home.

More women than men (73 per cent versus 26) said stress was the main reason they had a drink at home at the end of the day, and 73 per cent of women said they typically pour themselves a glass of wine to relax.

Some 61 per cent of women surveyed have two or more large glasses of wine on a typical night, more than double the recommended daily unit guidelines for women.