Blackpool tops drink-deaths table

Blackpool has a higher number of alcohol-related deaths per head of population than anywhere else in England and Wales, new figures show.
Thirty out of every 100,000 people died from drinking in the resort from 2001 to 2003, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

Manchester, Liverpool, Preston and Barrow had the next highest figures.

Brighton and Hove, Salford, Corby, Sandwell and Camden were also in the top 10.

The ONS said in 2003 there were 6,580 deaths from alcohol-related illnesses, such as liver disease, in England and Wales - up from 5,970 in 2001.


"We are about 10 years from being where we would like to be"
Prof John Ashton, Director of Public Health in the North West

Men accounted for almost two thirds of those who died, while there was a large variation between different regions.

In the North West, there were 15.1 deaths per 100,000 of the population, compared to 7.7 in the East.

The North East (13.1), the West Midlands (12.5) and London (12.3) also had high rates.

In Blackpool, 43.9 men died per 100,000 population, almost three times the national average.

Prof John Ashton, Director of Public Health in the North West, blamed the "binge drinking" culture of the north of England for the problem.


Deaths per 100,000 of population