The UK is ranked the third worst in Europe for teenage binge-drinking, a study by Bristol scientists reveals.

More than half of British youngsters drink to excess every month, with girls more likely to abuse alcohol than boys, the research found. It said teenagers were developing serious illnesses as a result of alcohol abuse, while many were dying prematurely.

Thirty-five European countries took part in the study by University of the West of England academics, who have described it as the largest project of its kind.

Professor Martin Plant, who led the investigation, found only Bulgaria and the Isle of Man had a poorer record when it came to binge-drinking and problems of delinquency among 15 and 16-year- olds. He believes a minimum price for alcohol of 50p per unit would save 3,000 lives every year.

The economy would also save £1billion annually by cutting hospital admissions, the number of days people take off work and drink-related disorder, he said.

Prof Plant said: "The UK retains its unenviable position in relation to binge-drinking, intoxication and alcohol-related problems among teenagers. This problem is both serious and chronic. There is a clear scientific consensus that alcohol education and mass media campaigns have a very poor track record in influencing drinking habits."

The study included a sample of 1,004 boys and 1,175 girls from the UK and found that young women no longer deemed it unacceptable to drink heavily. But the report said the number of teenage smokers in the UK has fallen since 1999, while only 11 per cent of British teenagers admitted to smoking cannabis in the past month.

The Government welcomed the findings, saying Prof Plant's work supported its own position in dealing with teenage alcohol abuse.

Children and Young People's Minister Delyth Morgan said: "Drug and alcohol use is falling as more young people are choosing not to drink.

"The challenge now is to target those young people who are drinking more often.

"Government is working to prevent binge-drinking among young people and alcohol education continues to be a vital element of our approach. For those young people who do develop problems there are record numbers of treatment places available."

She said the Government had not ruled out introducing a minimum- price limit for alcohol, a move rejected by the Prime Minister, who earlier this month said it would unfairly penalise law-abiding drinkers.

Gordon Brown's comments came after the idea of a 50p-per-unit minimum charge was put forward by the Government's Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson.

Sir Liam said research showed cheap alcohol and the fact it was readily available were key factors behind the increase in drinking.

Commenting on the idea of a minimum price for booze, Ms Morgan said: "We have not ruled out taking action on very cheap alcohol because this is linked to people drinking more and the subsequent harm to their health.

"We need to do more work on this to make sure any action we take is appropriate, fair and effective."

Don Shenker, the chief executive of Alcohol Concern, which helps people with alcohol-related problems, said: "This presents a stark rebuke to Government and the drinks industry who have failed to tackle this growing problem."

Andrew Lansley, the Shadow Health Secretary, said: "Labour is neglecting a forgotten generation of teenagers. It's a sad indictment of our broken society that so many are turning to things like drug and alcohol abuse at such a young age."