THE impact of alcohol-related liver disease on the health service in Oxfordshire is revealed in newly released figures.

In the 12 months to March this year 139 people were admitted to hospital with the condition, according to Public Health England.

That means a rate of 22 patients admitted for every 100,000 residents in Oxfordshire, below the national average of 39 for England.

Nationally, the rate ranges from ten per 100,000 in Sutton to 127 in Blackburn with Darwen.

The data shows that men are twice as likely as women to receive hospital treatment for this illness across the country.

Socioeconomic status is also a factor. The rate of alcohol-related liver disease admissions among the most deprived in society is 57 for every 100,000 people, but is below 29 for the most well off.

A spokesperson for Public Health England said: "Liver disease is one of the top causes of death in England and people are dying from it at younger ages. Most liver disease is preventable and much is influenced by alcohol consumption and obesity."

In 2014, the Lancet Commission on alcohol-related liver diseases estimated that health problems caused by alcohol are costing the NHS £3.5 billion a year.