Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter. Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

SCOTS are buying nearly twice as much spirits as people south of the Border, a report has revealed.

The average Scot drinks a fifth more booze than counterparts in England and Wales, NHS Health Scotland found.

Alcohol sales in Scotland rose 11 per cent between 1994 and 2009.

Dr Laurence Gruer, director of public health science at NHS Health Scotland, said: "This report confirms alcohol-related harm in Scotland has increased enormously since the early 1980s.

"Alcohol-related deaths are three times higher and hospital admissions are four times higher than in the early 1980s.

"In the most recent years, alcohol-related deaths and hospital admissions have declined.

"This is encouraging... but alcohol-related deaths are still at historically high levels and twice as high as in England and Wales."

According to the report, commissioned by the Scottish government, much of Scotland's drinking takes place at home.

Beer, wine and spirit purchases from Scots supermarkets and off-sales rose by 53 per cent over the last 15 years.

Sales of wine in Scotland have also more than doubled since 1994 and adults north of the Border now buy more wine per head than those in England and Wales.

On average, Scots sink a litre of pure alcohol more annually than they did 15 years ago.