A GROWING number of York people are literally drinking themselves to death.

Shocking figures revealed today in The Press demonstrate the full extent of the toll binge-drinking is taking on our health.

In only three years, the number of people admitted to York Hospital with end-stage liver disease more than doubled.

There was also a huge surge in women and young people under 30 referred with a serious drink problem.

York consultant gastroenterologist Dr Alistair Turnbull warned today that cheap drink and our booze culture was destroying people's health.

His department sees 100 new patients every year admitted with alcoholic liver disease.

"It's a major public health issue," he said. "I have sat with many grieving parents who have seen their children die of advanced liver disease. The same goes for husbands and wives."

Heavy drinking is increasingly becoming part of our way of life.

But you don't need to drink huge amounts to ruin your health. Just four pints a day over a number of years could do real damage.

Many people may be being fooled by larger pub measures. A standard 175ml glass of wine now amounts to about two units of alcohol. A large glass can be three or four. That is almost twice the amount of alcohol as the traditional pint.

We don't want to be killjoys, or stop anyone enjoying a drink with their mates.

But, if nothing else, today's figures should serve as a warning, and a reminder to be just a bit more careful about what you drink. Remember, it is your liver and your health you could be damaging.