ALCOHOL-related hospital admissions have risen dramatically in recent years.

Between 2012/13 and 2018/19, admissions to Hampshire hospitals rose from 20,240 to 29,720 – a 47 per cent spike.

Analysis by the UK Addiction Treatment Group showed the number of people going into hospital because of alcohol has risen across the south east by 30 per cent since 2012/13.

In 2018/19, 172,790 people were admitted to hospital where the primary reason or a secondary diagnosis was linked to alcohol.

This was six per cent more than the previous year (162,410) and 30 per cent more than in 2012/13 (133,970).

The highest figures were in Kent (30,150), Hampshire (29,720) and Surrey (22,730). Southampton saw an 85 per cent rise and the Isle of Wight saw an 80 per cent rise.