The 12-year-old binge drinkers

Children as young as 12 are being admitted to Shropshire hospitals as a result of binge drinking, it was claimed today by a county Euro MP.

Liz Lynne said hundreds of alcohol-related admissions were being made at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and Telford's Princess Royal.

"Hospitals across Shropshire are seeing hundreds of admissions, from head injuries, to broken bones and stomach pumping, as a direct result of binge drinking," she said.

"This is increasingly worrying, especially when we see children as young as 12 being hospitalised for alcohol-related injuries."

Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust spokesman Adrian Osborne said more than 300 alcohol-related cases - covering all ages - were seen at the Princess Royal during 2005/06.

"We could expect to see at least a similar number at the Royal Shrewsbury," he said.

Reports have revealed the number of young people in Shropshire aged between 11 and 15 who drink at least once a week is "significantly higher" than the national average, with more than half of the 15-year-olds living in Bridgnorth, Oswestry and south Shropshire areas classed as "regular drinkers."

Dr Catherine Woodward, director of public health for Telford & Wrekin has said that drink-related hospital admissions to the PRH - all ages - were costing an estimated £840,000 a year.

Ms Lynne said she believed Britain, with one of the worst binge drinking problems in Europe, could benefit from a new initiative adopted this week by the European Parliament.

It calls for clearer drinks labelling and warnings, and for more attention to be paid to vulnerable social groups such as young people and pregnant women.