More than 800,000 people a year are being admitted to hospital with alcohol-related injuries and illness - more than four times the previously acknowledged figure.

It is reported that official figures, released later, will show that 6 per cent of all NHS admissions are in some way drink related.

The release of the figures coincides with the publication of the Government's plans for tackling Britain's binge-drinking culture.

It is said that the new figures would for the first time provide an indicator of the true impact of alcohol on the NHS - including estimates of the numbers of cases of cancer, heart disease and stroke caused by drink.

The Department of Health would not comment on the figures ahead of the official announcement.

The latest Government proposals, to be unveiled by Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo, could see tighter regulation of the drinks industry, including a ban on happy hours in pubs and clubs.

It comes after an audit, commissioned by the Home Office and carried out by KPMG, recommended a complete overhaul of laws governing the alcohol industry.

It found rules were regularly flouted to allow "irresponsible and harmful practices".

These included the sale of alcohol to people under 18, sales of alcohol to "blatantly intoxicated" people, and the promotion of excessive drinking through cut-price offers.

The report concluded that "the commercial imperative generally overrides adherence" to a voluntary code.

For the study, KPMG conducted observation studies over a five-day period in eight locations across England, visiting almost 600 premises, including pubs, bars, clubs, off-licences and supermarkets.

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