THE biggest ever survey on alcohol in the North-west has revealed that most people think low price and discounts are fuelling our unhealthy drinking culture.

Of the 30,000 respondents, 80 per cent blamed these factors for increased drinking.

The revealing statistic is taken from The Big Drink Debate, a consultation exercise carried out earlier this year to try to understand why the region has one of the UK’s biggest alcohol problems.

The results, published today, also reveal over 50 per cent of people believe advertising and extended drinking hours are factors.

More than a quarter of respondents drink at hazardous levels, which suggests that more than a million people drink at this level across the North-west. Nearly half the respondents said they avoid town centres because of drunken behaviour of others. The survey’s finding will be presented to regional public policy leaders today.

Dr Ruth Hussey, the Region’s Director of Public Health, said: “We need to consider how best to use this survey information to create a healthier, safer North-west.”