SHOCKING new figures have revealed the rising numbers of young people in the region who are dying and receiving hospital treatment for alcoholic liver disease.

The statistics show that nearly 900 people from the North-East have died from alcoholic liver disease in a three year period - and more than one in 10 of the 863 people who died from the condition between 2010 and 2012 in the region were aged under 40.

Further research published today (Thursday, November 27) highlights a rise in hospital admissions in the North-East for young people with alcohol-related liver disease between 2002-03 and 2012-13.

It shows a startling 322 per cent increase in hospital admissions for alcohol-related liver disease in North-Easterners under 30 – compared to a national increase of 67 per cent.

Admissions for 30 to 34-year-olds has also risen by 319 per cent – the England increase was 68 per cent.

The findings from Balance - the North-Est alcohol office - come as a major new Lancet Commission calls for radical improvements to address the growing number of deaths from liver disease.

The report, which has been led by doctors and medical scientists from across the UK, claims that tougher Government policies are needed to control excessive alcohol use, as well as improvements in treatment and detection services.

One key recommendation calls for minimum unit pricing, health warnings on alcohol packaging and restriction of alcohol advertising and sales to tackle the problem.

Colin Shevills, director of Balance, said: “These latest figures are shocking and highlight the scale of the problem we face here in the North-East. This needs to be addressed sooner rather than later and that’s why we are urging Government to sit up and take note of the recommendations.

“Alcohol is too cheap, too available and too heavily promoted. A range of evidence-based measures would help address the harm that alcohol is having on our communities and would go some way to lessening pressures on the NHS.

“The introduction of a minimum unit price would focus on the problems caused by cheap, high strength alcohol and on the most vulnerable and deprived who experience more harm, all while sparing moderate drinkers.

Jackie Ballard, chief executive of Alcohol Concern said: “The UK is in danger of losing the battle against liver disease, which goes against the trend in much of the rest of Europe where many of our neighbours are actually making progress.

“Figures show an alarming rise in hospital admissions from alcoholic liver disease over the past few years. For the first time we are seeing young people under 30 dying of alcoholic liver disease, the so called ‘alcopops generation’ who have grown up in a society where alcohol is available at almost anytime, anywhere, at incredibly cheap prices and promoted non stop.

“The Government needs to take urgent action to turn the tide. This action needs to include tackling cheap strong alcohol through minimum unit pricing .”