A study by North-East experts shows that alcohol improves your brainpower.

Researchers at Northumbria University have found that enjoying half a pint of lager at the local can actually improve your memory.

Tests were carried out on 30 students to establish whether or not increased levels of alcohol had an effect on memory span and attention.

They were separated into groups and given a series of word lists to memorise, which was immediately followed by a drink of alcohol.

They were then asked to recall the word lists a few moments later.

The results found students who had been given alcohol showed significantly improved memory recall - provided only small amounts of alcohol were consumed.

Northumbria University's Human Cognitive Neuroscience Unit director Dr Andrew Scholey, said: "It seems apparent that a small amount of alcohol can actually improve memory.

"It is essential that the dose is right and that the information is given between learning information and subsequent recall."

However, the results indicated that larger doses of alcohol improved confidence, which could account for people being more prone to making errors when they have drunk alcohol.