WINE drinkers living in the wealthiest parts of East Lancashire are among the highest-risk boozers in the North West, health chiefs have revealed.

Binge drinkers in the poorer parts of Blackburn, Burnley and Accrington regularly prompt health warnings from NHS experts.

But it’s wine drinkers in the likes of Clitheroe, Whalley and Simonstone who are causing the most concern for the North West Public Health Observatory (NWPHO).

They can be damaging their health by drinking just half a bottle of wine three or four times a week.

Around 11.1 per cent of adults in the Ribble Valley are estimated to be in the ‘high-risk’ category, according to health bosses, compared to 5.3 per cent in Rossendale and 6.1 per cent in Pendle.

A new report entitled ‘Drinking Behaviours’ also shows 7.6 per cent of adults in Blackburn and Darwen are at risk, 8.2 per cent in Burnley and 8,3 per cent in Hyndburn.

Health experts are warning that, aside from damage to the liver, wine drinkers may be risking heart disease and lowering their IQ levels by up to 50 points.

The figures have emerged after it was confirmed Burnley has the second worst record for alcohol-related hospital admissions in the country and Blackburn with Darwen sixth.

More than 31,500 people across East Lancashire have been dubbed problem drinkers, including 8,123 in Blackburn with Darwen and 5,714 in Burnley.

But Ribble Valley, despite being the smallest borough, is hot on their heels with 5,240.

Clare Perkins, NWPHO’s deputy director, said: “We are seeing that the more affluent areas are coming out as drinking at greater risk levels.

"This has been the pattern across the country.

“There are a number of reasons why this might be the case.

"We know that there is falling consumption in bars but the amount of wine consumption has gone up considerably.

“And we know that wine consumers are usually among the most affluent groups of the population.

"People can get home, and have half a bottle of wine.

"But if they are doing this three or four times a week then it would place them in a high-risk category.”

Dr Tom Smith, the Lancashire Telegraph's health expert, said there were two key factors behind the rise in health concerns regarding wine drinking.

Glass sizes have increased from 125ml to 175ml and now even 250ml.

And the average alcohol by volume percentages of wines have risen from eight or nine per cent to 13 or 14.

Dr Smith said: "With three large glasses of wine you are soon reaching the upper limit for women per week and five glasses for men.

"People don't really understand how much they are drinking."

While long-term damage to the liver is well-documented there are a number of other conditions which wine drinkers are exposing themselves to.

"You can develop alcoholic heart disease, which can cause sudden deaths, because too much strain is placed on the cardiac muscles, or alcoholic encephalopathy," he said.

"This essentially mimics dementia and can also lead to Korsakoff's Syndrome, where people repeat stories they have told just minutes earlier.

"It can also reduce your IQ level by around 50 points."

An NHS East Lancashire spokesman said: “These figures are in line with the current trend of increased alcohol consumption across East Lancashire and elsewhere.

“We have an ongoing campaign called ‘Save a Million Years of Life’, where we urge people to be sensible with their alcohol intake, which can be greatly reduced simply by opting for a soft drink in between alcoholic beverages, or by sharing a bottle of wine as opposed to having one to yourself.”

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans, who is chairman of the Parlimentary beer group, said: "It’s a problem for affluent areas which have disposable income to spend on wine.

"Clearly we tick the box for wine drinking rather than lager drinking.

"But it is always useful to be aware of the health issues associated with drinking.

"Red wine may be good for you but it's like everything else - only in moderation."

Burnley MP Gordon Birtwistle said: “It starts out as a bottle per week, and it’s a social thing and it’s relaxing.

“But then it becomes a bottle every other night and then a bottle a night and that’s when the health problems begin and it does start to affect your liver.

"You can buy a bottle of wine for around £5 but it’s usually £3 for a pint of beer now.”