A new survey, covering 13,000 young people aged between 14 and 17 in the North West, was conducted by local authority Trading Standards services in the region.

In Wirral, this survey showed that the percentage of teenagers who buy alcohol themselves in the borough fell to 21%, down from 31% in 2007 which was the last time the survey was carried out.

However the survey, published at the Trading Standards Institute’s (TSI) annual Consumer Affairs and Trading Standards Annual Conference in Brighton, did reveal some alarming habits, with one in four of those who do drink consuming more than 20 units a week.

Other worrying trends highlighted include:

•        1 in 4 of teenagers surveyed regularly binge drink (consuming five drinks at least once a week)

•        1 in 20 typically drink alone;

•        1 in 6 regretted having sex after drinking

•        1 in 2 teenagers drink to get drunk.

Cllr. Gill Gardner, Wirral's Cabinet member for Environment said: "I am pleased to see that the Council's actions are leading to a reduction in the ease with which young people can buy alcohol. Our Trading Standards team can provide advice and training to off licence staff to help them reduce their risk of selling alcohol to an under 18 and also take enforcement action in the Courts or seek the suspension of a licence for those who break the law.”

She added: "Our ability to tackle under age sales has been greatly supported by funds from Wirral NHS. It is important, however, that operations aimed at off licences continue, as a priority, to further the decline of the availability of alcohol to young people.”

Marie Armitage, Director of Public Health, said: “Although it’s good to see a reduction in underage sales, the amount of alcohol consumed by some teenagers is of great concern. Not only does it pose a significant threat to their health, it puts them at greater risk of violence and unplanned pregnancy."