Young binge drinkers up

Children as young as 11 have been taken to Russells Hall Hospital after downing too much drink, prompting concerns a generation could be permanently scarred by booze.

For most of the years, girls outnumbered boys, heightening fears about the spread of the "ladette" culture.

The figures released following a Freedom of Information request by the Express & Star do include some cases of children swallowing bleach or paraffin or overdosing on tablets.

Campaigners say the problem of binge drinking is made worse by cheap drinks offers and the promotion of sweet, colourful drinks such as alcopops.

Councillor Ken Turner who sits on Dudley Council's health select committee, said it was a worrying trend and action needed to be taken to divert young people away from alcohol.

He said: "We must encourage licensees and supermarkets to be responsible when selling alcohol."

A hard-hitting advertising campaign has been launched by Dudley Council to make people think before they over-indulge.

Councillor Anne Millward, cabinet member for community safety, said: "What is really disturbing is the number of girls binge drinking.

"I was out in Wolverhampton one night and I was horrified by the number of girls who were drunk and behaving outrageously.

"I also know of a girl aged 13 who was picked up paralytic on cider. What we should be doing is making parents educate their children about alcohol – we need to take a tough line."

The dangers of drinking to excess were highlighted by the council last year when it launched an awareness campaign using digital technology to age a young person's face showing the damage too much alcohol can cause.