ALCOHOL-related deaths have soared thanks to Britain's burgeoning binge-drinking culture, with health specialists warning that young people are drinking themselves to death.

The number of people dying from alcohol-related diseases has spiralled out of control with a staggering 20 per cent increase in just five years.

Now health chiefs fear Britain's changing drinking culture is more deadly and more widespread than smoking or even drugs.

Booze was logged as the primary cause of death on 6,544 death certificates in 2004, compared with 5,525 in 2000, according to the Office of National Statistics. Tens of thousands more will have died as an indirect result of alcohol, from conditions such as heart disease and cancer.

Sadly, Dorset has not escaped the epidemic.

Eighteen-year-old Glen Stockley, from Days Road, Swanage, died from alcohol poisoning after going out with friends on Christmas Eve.

After the inquest into his son's death, Glen's grieving father Gordon made an impassioned plea for youngsters to refrain from binge drinking.

Social club chairman David Onions also died from alcohol poisoning at Christmas after downing six whiskey shots, two Pernods and a double rum in a Boxing Day drinking contest.

A post-mortem blood test showed the 47-year-old Poole mechanic, who was chairman of Bearwood Social Club, had a reading of 400 milligrams - five times the legal drink-drive limit.

His brother Chris, a production director from Parkstone, said his death was a terrible shock and warned others of the dangers of binge drinking.

Inspector Neil MacBean from Bournemouth Police said: "These findings just confirm what I have said all along. Binge drinking is not just about the antisocial issue, but also the long-term damage it can have on your health."

In small amounts alcohol can be tolerated and even help protect against certain illnesses, but taken in excess it can be lethal.

Long-term heavy drinking can cause irreparable brain and liver damage, sparking cirrhosis, hepatitis and complete liver failure.

Alcohol irritates the stomach lining causing acute gastritis, heartburn, weight loss, nausea and ulcers as well as increasing the risk of throat cancer and pancreatitis.

First published: August 17, 2005