CHILDREN and young people in the North-East have topped a national table for rates of drunkenness.

A regional breakdown obtained by national charity Alcohol Concern shows that young people in the North- East report the highest rates of drunkenness in England.

The figures, based on a survey of young people aged between eight and 16, showed that 12.7 per cent said they had been drunk twice or more in the past four weeks.

Alarmingly, 8.3 per cent admitted that they had been drunk three or more times.

The survey, conducted by schools’ inspector Ofsted, also revealed that only a fifth of young people in the region had never had an alcoholic drink.

Young people in the Yorkshire and the Humber region also featured among the top drinkers.

A total of 11.9 per cent of eight to 16 year olds in Yorkshire and the Humber said they had been drunk twice or more in the past four weeks, the third highest in England.

A total of 7.9 per cent of youngsters in the Yorkshire and the Humber also admitted they had been drunk three or more times in the previous four weeks, the second highest total in the country.

Alcohol Concern is calling for action on alcohol pricing, marketing and support for parents, after interviews with 15 and 16-year-olds earlier this year found that teenagers whose parents disapproved of their drinking were more likely not to have drunk alcohol, compared with youngsters whose parents let them drink as much as they like.

Don Shenker, chief executive of Alcohol Concern, said: “Sadly, children and teens in the North-East are getting drunk far more often than the national average.

“However, the good news is that parents’ attitudes to their children’s drinking can make a difference.” Colin Shevills, director of Balance, the North-East alcohol office, expressed concern at the figures and said: “We are all responsible for ensuring our young people do not misuse alcohol, parents, in particular, are key influences.”

He said the price of alcohol needed to be looked at because the average British youngster’s weekly pocket money of £6.13 was enough to allow them to drink more than the recommended daily adult limit every day for a week.