SWINDON doctors have demanded tough government action to tackle growing alcohol-related health problems.

South Swindon MP Julia Drown yesterday handed a petition to the House of Commons, signed by more than 500 medics asking for cigarette-style health warnings on alcohol products.

Specialists in alcohol-related diseases, including doctors from Great Western Hospital, have put their names to the campaign.

Ms Drown, a former NHS manager, said the rising tide of drink-related health breakdowns was alarming.

She said: "Excessive alcohol consumption causes damage to individuals' health, but also to wider society due to violence and disorder.

"It costs the NHS, police and economy billions of pounds in unnecessary expense."

There has been a huge rise in death rates from alcohol-related liver cirrhosis since the 1970s a four-fold increase in men and trebling in women aged 45-54.

In older people the figures are even higher.

Great Western Hospital admits around 250 patients annually with alcohol-related problems the equivalent of 4,500 bed days a year.

Ms Drown said: "I hope the Government listens to this petition and brings in health warnings on alcoholic products, so that people are advised of the dangers of over-drinking."