Deaths from chronic liver disease and other alcohol-related illnesses have doubled in the past decade, shock new figures have revealed.

Deaths in the UK due to excessive drinking shot up from 4,144 in 1991 to 8,380 in 2004.

The Office of National Statistics figures also show death rates are much higher for men, with the gap between the sexes widening in recent years.

In 2004, the latest figures available showed the death rate for men was 17.7 per 100,000 population, twice the rate for females which was 8.5. Males accounted for two thirds of the total number of deaths.

Men aged 35 to 54 had the highest death rate in each year and the largest increase in the death rate for women was also in this age group.

The worrying trend mirrors the findings of a report Over the Limit which was published by the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Public Health Group last December.

It revealed alcohol accounts for the death of 11.5 people per 100,000 in Bradford - the fourth highest in the region.

The scale of the problem in Bradford is further exposed by figures from the district's primary care trusts which show 26 per cent of the white population in Bradford and 13 per cent of the black and ethnic minority population are classed as hazardous or harmful drinkers with a further five per cent of the population alcohol dependent drinkers.

Based on a Bradford population of 467,700 this equates to a massive 108,391 hazardous/harmful drinkers and 23,385 alcohol dependent drinkers.

A spokesman for Bradford and Airedale Primary Care Trusts said: "Tackling the problem of alcohol-related deaths and problems is a priority for the primary care trusts in Bradford and Airedale.

"Bradford has already developed an alcohol treatment strategy to address the identification and treatment element.

"Its aims include to reduce the current continuous rise in the volume and seriousness of alcohol misuse related harm, to reduce the gap between the local need for treatment for alcohol-dependent people and the current level and type of services available, and to ensure all services are developed in accord with the National Treatment Agency's Models of Care for Alcohol Misuse guidance for best practice.

"A dedicated post to lead on the development of alcohol identification and treatment services is being recruited to join the district's substance misuse commissioning team to oversee these developments."

Dee Kyle, public health director, speaking on behalf of the Bradford and Airedale PCTs said: "It is also important to prevent damage from alcohol by helping people to drink sensibly.

"There is guidance on the maximum intake levels which are lower for women than men.

"If people understand the importance of following these guidelines we would expect to see less alcohol-related damage in the future"

e-mail: claire.lomax@bradford.newsquest.co.uk