People who live in affluent areas are more likely to drink dangerous quantities of alcohol, a new survey has shown.

The number of people admitted to hospitals because of booze-related problems is up in the past year.

Figures for English local authorities show the percentage of adults drinking at "hazardous" levels - between 22 to 50 units a week for men and 15 to 35 for women - ranges from 14.1 per cent to 26.4 per cent.

At 26.4 per cent of adults drinking at hazardous levels, Runnymede, covering Surrey towns such as Chertsey, Guildford and Virginia Water, topped the league table, alongside Harrogate, in North Yorkshire.

The lowest percentage of hazardous drinkers was found in relatively deprived Newham, in east London, at 14.1 per cent.

The figures for harmful drinking rates - those where men and women exceeded hazardous levels - showed local authority estimates ranging from 3.2 per cent to 8.8 per cent.

According to the data, harmful drinkers tend to live in the more deprived areas of the country, with Manchester topping the league table at 8.8 per cent of adults, followed by 8.1 per cent in Liverpool.

Excess alcohol consumption can cause long-term problems such as as liver disease, circulatory diseases and cancer. Short-term problems include accidents and alcohol-related assaults.

© Independent Television News Limited 2009. All rights reserved.