THOUSANDS of women in the North-East are dying every year because of alcohol.

The region has the highest rate of alcohol-related deaths for women in the country, according to figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

In 2014, at least 8,697 of the region’s women died for reasons relating to alcohol – a figure that could be much higher.

The statistics do not include deaths from drink-driving, suicides, violence or cancer, some of which could be linked to alcohol use.

While male rates of death remain significantly higher, the new figures show more women are dying because of alcohol than ever before.

In the past 20 years, alcohol related deaths of women have tripled, with 2014’s statistics showing 15.1 deaths per 100,000 women living in the North-East.

The average in England is 9.1 deaths, meaning the region’s death rate is 66 per cent higher than the national rate for females.

Colin Shevills, Director of Balance, the North East Alcohol Office, said: “It is tragic that more women in the North-East died from alcohol-related causes in 2014 than in any other year over the last two decades."

The North-East has also seen a rise in the number of male alcohol-related deaths, with twice as many men dying from drink in 2014 than in 1994.

The region has the second highest rate of alcohol related male deaths in England.

Mr Shevills said: “If we want enable people to make truly informed decisions about how much they drink and hopefully reduce the number of needless deaths from alcohol, then the Government needs to introduce compulsory health warning labels on alcohol products and alcohol advertising and to adequately fund mass media campaigns that make clear the very serious risks people face."