HEAVY drinkers are costing the North-East more than £1bn a year.

Figures released this week show that alcohol harm hit the region's taxpayers and businesses £1.01bn in 2015-16 through hospital admissions, crime and disorder, lost productivity among staff and in social services support for families affected by alcohol.

The study was done by Balance, the North East Alcohol Office, which says the bill equates to £386 for every residents of the North East, compared to an average national figure of £363.

High alcohol consumption cost £209m in health services such as A&E attendances, ambulance callouts and treatment for alcohol dependency.

It led to tens of thousands of criminal damage, theft and violence cases which cost £331m in crime and disorder and £121m was spent on substance misuse and social services.

And North employers lost £353m through absenteeism, lost productivity and alcohol related deaths.

Colin Shevills, director at Balance, said: “High alcohol consumption wrecks families, impacts on workplaces and is a drain on the NHS and police at a time when they are coping with huge budget pressures."

Amanda Healy, director of public health for Durham County Council and chair of the North East Directors of Public Health Network, added: “The figures are stark and they demonstrate the scale of the problem that alcohol causes in worsening poverty, fuelling ill health and causing crime.

“If we as a region were able to reduce our drinking, we would not only lower our personal risks but it would also ease the considerable pressure on front line staff in our police forces, our social care sector and in our hospital wards."

They, along with the North East's three police and crime commissioners Ron Hogg, Vera Baird and Barry Coppinger, called for national action to tackle the problem such as increased tax on strong, cheap drink.