THE number of people taking part in the North East Big Drink Debate has more than doubled in the past week.

A total of 7,158 people have taken part in the region’s biggest public health survey, either by completing questionnaires, going online or speaking to canvassers.

This weekend, visitors to two big outdoor events will have the chance to fill in questionnaires as teams from Balance, the North-East alcohol agency, mingle with crowds.

The first opportunity will be at the Darlington Community Festival, an annual event taking place in and around Stanhope Park from noon today.

Balance canvassers, wearing white North East Big Drink T-shirts, will also be out in force at the Hotspur Festival in Alnwick Castle tomorrow.

Balance, which is jointly funded by the NHS and the Home Office, is asking people in the region what they think about drink, whether things have got out of hand and whether anything can be done to tackle the problem.

Information from the anonymous survey will be used to draw up proposals to try to encourage North-East drinkers to adopt a more balanced view of drinking.

■ To take part in the the Big Drink Debate, go to northeast bigdrinkdebate.org.uk