Yorkshire tops national table of shame for heavy drinkers

Around 22 per cent of people in Yorkshire were classed as binge drinkers in a national survey of drinking habits in 2009, while 41 per cent of people in the region drank above recommended safe levels in the previous week before they were interviewed.

The rates compare with an average level of binge drinking of 17 per cent across Britain, with 33 per cent of people drinking above safe levels.

The Office for National Statistics said evidence showed people were drinking less each week.

Men drank 16.3 units of alcohol a week on average, down from 17.4 in 2008. Women drank eight units a week on average, down from 9.4 in the previous year. Two units are equivalent to a pint of beer or a glass of wine.

The figures also showed a drop in the number of people dying, with 8,664 alcohol-related deaths, 367 fewer than in 2008. Nevertheless the number of deaths is still up 26 per cent on a decade ago.

People in managerial and professional groups were more likely to exceed safe levels of drinking than those in lower earning groups. Older people tended to drink more regularly than the young but younger people were more likely to binge drink.

The chief executive of Alcohol Concern, Don Shenker, said: "It is very likely that alcohol consumption will rise again once the economy picks up. Government alcohol policy should ensure alcohol becomes less affordable permanently."

Chris Sorek, of charity Drinkaware, said: "It is imperative we change people's attitudes and behaviours to avoid the alcohol-related death statistics of tomorrow."