BRISTOL has more people hospitalised with alcohol-related problems than anywhere in the south west, according to a new report.

There were 10,194 admissions in the year 2009/10. Of these 6,981 were due to alcohol-related illnesses, almost double the number seven years earlier.

The remaining 3,213 were for alcohol intoxication and involved 1,982 individuals, many of whom were admitted more than once.

The South West Public Health Observatory report, published yesterday, found more than two-thirds of admissions were for mental and behavioural disorders due to drinking.

Alcoholic liver disease accounted for 13 per cent and ethanol poisoning for 12 per cent.

More than two-thirds of alcohol-related hospital stays involved men.

The Department for Health says employing alcohol health workers and alcohol liaison workers in acute hospitals to manage patients could help cut the numbers.