SHOCKING new figures today revealed that the east of England has the highest rate of alcohol abuse in the country among children aged 13 to 15.Health bosses in the region have now pledged to crack down on drink-related problems by introducing a new action plan aimed at improving lives.

SHOCKING new figures today revealed that the east of England has the highest rate of alcohol abuse in the country among children aged 13 to 15.

Health bosses in the region have now pledged to crack down on drink-related problems by introducing a new action plan aimed at improving lives.

According to the figures 12.6 per cent of youngsters in the east of England aged 13 to 15 drink seven or more units a week - compared to the national average of 8.2pc.

Meanwhile, around 2,000 people die each year in the region because of alcohol related illness - such as certain types of cancer, cardiovascular disease and liver disease.

The figures, released in a report from the East of England Strategic Health Authority (SHA), also show that £85m is spent every year in Suffolk, Essex, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire on hospital admissions and ambulance journeys related to alcohol misuse.

Health bosses have now set out a series of pledges specifically designed to target alcohol abuse as part of their new Improving Lives; Saving Lives strategy.

Dr Paul Cosford, regional director of public health, said: “Excessive alcohol consumption is a major cause of health problems in the east of England.

“We want to be able to reduce alcohol-related harm and improve the overall health of people living in the region.”

The action plan will be developed over the coming months to ensure intervention at an earlier stage in a bid to prevent illness or premature death from alcohol-related illnesses.