ALCOHOL reduction campaigns are calling on the Chancellor to increase tax on high-strength cider in the next Budget.

The call comes after figures were released showing the North-East has the highest rates of drinking among children aged 11 to 15, with almost 3,000 becoming regular drinkers every year.

A recent study by Balance, the North East Alcohol Office, found three-litre bottles of high-strength white cider on sale for as little as £3.99, even though they contain the same amount of alcohol as 22 shots of vodka.

Balance says that pocket money prices for high strength ciders such as Frosty Jack’s and White Ace means that children and homeless people account for almost all sales of the drink.

Colin Shevills, Director of Balance, said: “Strong white cider is consistently in the top five drinks consumed by children requiring specialist alcohol treatment.

“It’s not right that our current tax system means that this industrial-strength white cider can be sold so cheaply, fuelling some of the worst problems we have with alcohol.

“We’re all paying a high price for these low-cost drinks. On a daily basis, alcohol treatment services across the North East are seeing children and adults suffering from the consequences of this cheap, strong alcohol, available at pocket money prices.

“The only winner in all of this is the alcohol industry.”

Amanda Healy, Chair of the Association of Directors of Public Health North East, said: “It is shocking to think that the equivalent to 22 shots of vodka is available in our region for just a few pounds.

“The majority of people, both adults and children, who we see in alcohol treatment services across the North East, tell us they are drinking the cheapest alcohol, which is usually white cider and cheap vodka”.

Alongside duty increases, Balance is urging the Chancellor to implement minimum unit pricing for alcohol, and to reinstate the alcohol duty escalator, scrapped in 2014.