The figures also show that alcohol consumption in the UK has continued to decline, down a further 4.5% on last year.

WSTA chief executive Miles Beale said: “Today’s ONS figures show that significant progress is being made with the majority of people drinking within weekly guideline amounts and overall levels of alcohol consumption continuing to decline.

“Whilst we are concerned by the increase in alcohol related deaths these figures show that the Government must target its effort on the minority who drink to excess instead of penalising the responsible drinking majority,” said Beale.