SHOCK figures revealed today that 20,000 people in Huddersfield have a drink problem.

Almost 15% of the town's drinking population is boozing excessively, according to a Huddersfield health chief.

And it is costing the NHS nationally a staggering £1.7 billion a year.

More than 20,000 visits to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary's A&E department last year were alcohol-related.

And it is estimated that booze accounts for 70% of all A&E attendances at the hospital peak times.

Mike Hughes, assistant director of public health for Huddersfield Central and South Huddersfield primary care trusts, said: "80% of people who do drink are drinking sensibly so we don't want to be prohibitionists.

"But there are people who constantly consume their weekly intake in one drinking session on a Friday night and there are long-term health problems associated with that."

He highlighted a growing generation of binge-drinkers making the most of two-for-one drink offers and nightclub happy hours.

He said: "People should have some sense of their own capacity.

"It also about timescales and how quickly people consume drink."

Liver disease, coronary heart disease and strokes are some of the health problems associated with drinking too much, fuelled by high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes.

He added: "People are also more likely to have accidents or become victims of violent crime."