DOZENS of deaths in Bolton were caused by alcohol, with the total death rate higher than the national average, according to new figures.

Findings released by Public Health England show that 57 people from Bolton were among the 6,985 who died from alcohol-specific causes across the country last year.

This is up from 55 recorded across the borough in 2019 and comes as stark evidence of the pandemic's impact on drinking patterns, according to charities Drinkaware and Alcohol Change UK.

Alcohol Change UK chief executive Dr Richard Piper said: "Any one of us can find ourselves drinking harmfully and everyone deserves to live a full life free from the harm caused by alcohol."

He added: “The harm caused by alcohol goes beyond this unacceptable, avoidable loss of life.

"Millions more suffer from worsened mental and physical health every day as a result of harmful drinking."

The figures suggest 13 in every 100,000 people in England died solely because of alcohol abuse last year, with the rate in Bolton was much higher at 21.

In response, the government says it is working to tackle the problem.

A Department for Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "We have announced the largest ever increase in substance misuse treatment and recovery funding, with a £780 million of additional investment over the next three years.

"Work is already underway to address alcohol-related health harms, their impact on people’s life chances and to reduce associated inequalities, including establishing specialist alcohol care teams in hospitals and supporting children of alcohol dependent parents."