North West Worst for Alcohol-Related Deaths - How Does Your Region Fare?

Drinkers in the North West of England are more than twice as likely to die from causes relating to alcohol consumption than people in other parts of the country.

The region has the highest rate of alcohol-related deaths than any other in England, figures published by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) revealed.

During 2012, the most recent year for which data is available, almost 21 people per 100,000 in the North West died in circumstances where the cause was "most directly due to alcohol consumption".

The North East was the second worst region for alcohol-related deaths, with almost 18 people dying per 100,000, while the lowest level was recorded in the East of England, which had just over 10 deaths.

Binge drinking was more chronic in the North West (15%) and the lowest in London (8%).

In addition, the North West (18%) and Yorkshire and the Humber (19%) were the regions with the highest proportion of heavy drinkers while the East of England had the lowest proportion (10%).

Studies cited by ONS pointed to a link between social deprivation and high alcohol intake.

But overall the figures paint an improving picture of alcohol-related deaths in England. In 2012 there were 8,367 alcohol-related deaths in the UK, 381 fewer than in 2011.

However, despite the improvement, the number is substantially higher than in 1991, the year the report dates back to, when there were 4,144 similar deaths.