Drop in underage drinkers in north west England

A survey of 13,000 young people, aged 14 to 17 carried out by trading standards services in the north west of England showed the number of teenagers drinking is falling.

Those drinking alcohol at least once a week dropped from 50 per cent in 2005 to 38 per cent in 2009.

However, the survey revealed one in four of those who do drink consume more than 20 units a week.

Other findings showed that one in 20 typically drink alone, one in six regretted having sex after drinking and half of teenagers drink to get drunk.

Ron Gainsford, chief executive of the Trading Standards Institute, said: "It is encouraging that fewer teenagers in the north west are drinking weekly.

"But the response that a quarter are consuming more than 20 units a week, which is very close to the limit recommended for adult men, is alarming for these young people's own health and for the wider damage on local communities that alcohol abuse inflicts."