Surge in alcohol-related deaths
The number of alcohol-related deaths has increased by nearly a fifth in four years, figures show.
The Office for National Statistics data revealed deaths in England and Wales rose by from 5,525 in 2000 to 6,544 in 2004 - an 18.4% increase.
The highest increase was in Yorkshire and the Humber which saw a 46.5% hike to 627 deaths in 2004.
The Liberal Democrats, which obtained the data, said people were "literally drinking themselves to death".
The figures detail deaths where the underlying cause was directly-related to alcohol, such as liver disease and alcohol poisoning.
RISE IN ALCHOL DEATHS BY REGION
Yorkshire and the Humber - 46.5% (2004 total 627)
North East - 28.4% (430)
West Midlands - 24.2% (750)
North West - 24.1% (1,179)
Wales - 21.4% (419)
The revelations come as the government is in the process of relaxing the drinking laws.
From November, pubs and other licensed premises, which have been given council permission, will be allowed to open for longer than the existing laws allow.
Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone said: "These figures are deeply worrying.
"The government must address the underlying reasons why people are drinking themselves - literally to death.
"I am worried that the proposed change to licensing laws will add to this startling increase in drink-related deaths.
Licensing
"The government should pause for more thought before it brings in the changes to the licensing laws in November."
Martin Plant, professor of addiction studies at the University of the West of England, said the rise in deaths had been fuelled by the increase in binge drinking.
"In recent years we have seen more and more young people drinking more, especially women.
"Alcohol-related liver disease used to be only found in middle-aged and elderly people, but now evidence is mounting that more and more people in their 20s and 30s are being diagnosed with it.
"It is very depressing."
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