MEN in Southampton are almost 50 per cent more likely to die from drinking alcohol than their counterparts in the rest of the England.

New figures show 22.1 out of every 100,000 male deaths in the city were alcohol-related compared to 14.7 per 100,000 nationally.

Southampton's women are also more likely to die of drinking-related illnesses - with nine out of every 100,000 deaths being linked to alcohol against a national average of 7.4 deaths.

Doctors recommend that men drink a maximum of four units a day - with a pint of ordinary strength beer and a glass of wine each worth two units. For women the recommendation is three units a day.

The figures, published by the Titchfield-based Office for National Statistics, relate to deaths linked to alcohol consumption, such as liver cirrhosis and alcohol poisoning.

They do not include other causes of death, such as road deaths, other accidents, suicides and killings in which alcohol was a factor.

They were compiled using information from the period 2001 to 2003.

Gosport was the only other place in Hampshire with higher than average alcohol-related deaths - 16.8 per 100,000 for men and 9.3 per 100,000 for women.

Dr Andrew Mortimore, director of public health at Southampton Primary Care Trust, which is responsible for local health services, said: "It is a phenomenon that is affecting many cities and it is very concerning that there are no signs rates will not continue to rise.

"It is viewed very seriously and has for some time been a considerable priority in terms of us working with police and other health professionals to reduce the problem."

Health chiefs are working closely with the police and schools to educate youngsters about the dangers of alcohol abuse. They also plan to crack down on excessive drinking at the city's university and Institute.

Dr Mortimore fears the problem could worsen with the introduction of 24-hour licensing: "We are all watching this with a lot of caution. We are anxious to be sure that these changes don't lead to further incidents of excessive drinking."

The PCT is set to introduce new measures to try and promote responsible drinking by rewarding landlords who do not promote happy hours or 'drink all you can' promotions.

Southampton Test MP Alan Whitehead said: "It is a problem that concerns me.

"But in a sense I am not surprised because Southampton has one of the highest concentrations of houses of multiple occupation or bedsits.

"Older people living in these circumstance often have multiple health problems and I am fairly certain that these figures are a result of that."