Nearly half of parents with children under 14 allow them to drink alcohol at home, a study has found.

Some 49% of parents with children admitted they let their children drink alcohol at home, according to a survey by Churchill Home Insurance.

This is contrary to advice from the Chief Medical Officer that children under 15 should abstain from alcohol.

The study by Churchill Home Insurance found that 8% of these parents let their children drink at home once a month.

Some used alcohol to bribe their children while some let their children drink every day.

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Should kids be allowed to drink at home under 15?

Martin Scott, head of Churchill Home Insurance, said: “Many parents want their children to have a responsible attitude to drinking and introduce alcohol in a safe, controlled environment.

"The challenge any parent will recognise is how to prevent excessive drinking, especially amongst teenagers.”