LANCASHIRE police handed out more than 200 on the spot fines to drunken and abusive young women last year, 10 times more than in other parts of the country.

The figures are from health campaign group Balance, which is now calling for an urgent review of how alcohol is advertised in a bid to help tackle “harmful and hazardous” levels of drinking among young people.

Girls aged 21 and under in Lancashire received fines for drunkenness more than women anywhere else across England and Wales last year, other than women living in Northumbria and Merseyside.

A total of 202 women received fines of £80 for drunken behaviour in 2010/11. That is 10 times the number issued in Devon, Dorset or Hampshire.

Balance director Colin Shevills told the Lancashire Telegraph: “Our region is drinking too much from an early age driven by alcohol which is too affordable, too available and too heavily promoted. "The Government's alcohol strategy aims to turn the tide against binge drinking, but it is weak on a clear strategy around the marketing and promotion of alcohol.

"Our concern is that it will remain effectively self-regulatory. This is why we need to call on Government to make a change.”

A spokesperson for Lancashire Constabulary said: “Penalty Notices for disorder are one of many different methods the police can use to deal with offenders.

“They are used as a quick and effective, alternative means of dealing with low-level, anti-social nuisance offending and are utilised irrespective of gender or age.

“They help to keep low level, usually first time, offenders out of the courts so allowing the courts to deal with the more serious offences, therefore delivering a swift, simple and effective justice that still carries a deterrent effect.”