ALCOHOL-RELATED deaths have soared by 27 per cent in the North-East since Tony Blair came to power, figures have revealed.

A total of 430 people died from alcohol-related diseases last year, compared to 339 in 1997 - the first year of the Labour government - according to statistics released to MPs.

The highest death tolls were in Newcastle (71), North Tyneside (44), Gateshead (38) and Sunderland (37).

But the biggest percentage increases were in Middlesbrough (up from 13 to 25), in Hartlepool (up from 10 to 19) and in Darlington (up from 13 to 19).

In North Yorkshire, the increase between 1997 and last year was even more dramatic - a 38.5 per cent rise from 39 to 54.

Furthermore, the statistics are almost certainly an underestimate, because they do not include deaths from cancer, suicide and accidents - all of which are often linked to drinking.

The rising death toll will add to criticism of the Government's controversial relaxation of licensing laws, which is allowing pubs and clubs to stay open longer.

However, experts point to much-wider social changes, including far more people dining out and the easy availability of alcohol in supermarkets as well as specialist off-licences. While consumption of beer has fallen slightly during the past 30 years and that of spirits has remained constant, the amount of wine drunk has risen sharply.

Alcohol is also 54 per cent cheaper relative to income than it was in 1981, with many pubs enticing young drinkers with happy hours and two-for-one promotions.

The Government has been accused of doing too little to crack down on the "drink culture" by getting tough with pub owners and alcohol producers.

Across England and Wales, there were 6,544 alcohol-related deaths last year - a 34 per cent rise on the 4,887 in 1997.

Mark Oaten, the Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman, said: "This adds an entirely different dimension to the decision to extend licensing hours.

"Under Labour, we have seen a dramatic increase in the number of alcohol-related deaths, at a time when the availability of alcohol has been on the increase and the marketing of alcohol has become more aggressive. Extending licensing hours clearly risks further increases."

Doctors say increasing levels of cirrhosis and other liver diseases are evidence of the harm caused by heavy alcohol consumption.

And the number of people treated in hospital accident and emergency departments after drink-related incidents has also been on the rise.