A 12-YEAR-OLD girl on her half-term holidays was found so drunk she was incapable of telling police her name or address, it has been revealed.

Police initially thought the child had been sexually assaulted after she was found on scrubland in Darlington.

It is believed she had drunk about a litre of strong cider before she was found by a member of the public at 2.30pm on Tuesday.

The child was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital, where she remained unable to tell anyone her name or what had happened to her.

Acting Detective Inspector Alec Francis, of Darlington police, said: "When she was found she was drunk and her clothing was disheveled, and it was our concern that she had been the victim of a sexual assault.

"We were very worried she had been taken advantage of when she was in a state of drunkenness.

"We don't know exactly how much she had to drink, but we believe it was about a litre of strong cider.

"We think she was with friends, someone has come across them, they have panicked and left her there. She was on her own when she was found."

It was not until after 6pm that officers were able to establish who the girl was, and contact her parents and friends. She was then medically examined, with her parents' permission, and it established that she had not been sexually assaulted.

Acting Det Insp Francis said: "She was a lucky girl - this might not have turned out this way.

"We would urge children not to drink, but if they find themselves in this situation, they should never leave their friends in this sort of state. It could prove fatal.

"They should get help straight away, and not be afraid that they are going to get into trouble."

The youngster was kept in hospital overnight for observation before being allowed home.

Last night, a health expert warned that drinking large volumes of alcohol could prove fatal for children.

Dr Mark Hudson, director of regional liver services at the Freeman Hospital, in Newcastle, said: "If a young person drinks a large amount of alcohol it can be potentially fatal for a range of reasons. It is potentially a very dangerous situation.

"She had consumed a considerable amount of alcohol.

"The way the body deals with alcohol depends on the individual.

"The most immediate concern would be the effect on her brain activity and her conscious level.

"If people lose control and collapse, there is a risk that they could choke on their own vomit. If they lie exposed outside there is a risk of hypothermia, and alcohol can also affect the sugar and salt levels of the body.

"Drinking large volumes of strong alcohol can lead to a risk of the brain swelling.