Older people drink alcohol more often than youngsters but young people swill back larger quantities, according to a new Government survey.

The General Household Survey 2004/5 found that 28% of men and 16% of women aged 65 or more had had a tipple on five or more days during the previous week. This compared with just 8% of males and 5% of females in the 16-24 age bracket.

However, this younger group was more likely to exceed the daily benchmark (four units for men and three for women) and was more prone to heavy drinking sessions.

Nearly one-third (32%) of young men knocked back more than eight units on at least one day in the previous week compared with 7% of older men.

And almost one-quarter (24%) of young women consumed in excess of six units on at least one day against just 1% of older women.

by Angela Frewin

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