Teenage drinking doubles in 10 years in Wigan

More than 60% of Wigan teenagers drink in their own home

Alcohol abuse among teenagers in Wigan has doubled in the past decade, according to new council data.

The council-commissioned report also found that at least 160 teenagers were admitted to hospital for alcohol-related problems.

The admissions figure is higher than the national and North West average.

"We knew there was a problem but it is something we decided needing looking at more intensely," said Councillor Jeanette Prescott.

The survey commissioned by the council's scrutiny select committee found that 60.6% of young people drank in their own home.

And the second most popular venue (35.1%) was in a friend's home.

Mrs Prescott said some parents had been spotted dropping their children off in parks with an "alcopops picnic".

"There are parents who are actually buying their children drink and dropping them off in areas," she said.

The borough has an estimated 28,000 young people in the 11 to 17 age group.

The survey also found among this age group:

● 18,000 (65%) young people have consumed alcohol

● 7,600 (27%) drink alcohol weekly

● 3,200 (12%) drink more than once a week

● 2,200 young people were drunk in the last week

● 90,000 units (equivalent to 36,000 pints of beer or 9,000 bottles of wine) are consumed in one week by 11 to 17 year olds.