Under age drinking is to be outlawed around Hull and Yorkshire’s East Riding as the Daily Mail launches a hard-hitting Show You Care campaign.

The paper is teaming up with the local alcohol advisory service in a bid to prevent deaths this summer from youngsters abusing alcohol.

Experts are warning that alcohol is an “acceptable killer” and that deaths were inevitable.

In a shocking front page story, the paper revealed that 12 and 13-year-olds were drinking themselves unconscious during heavy bouts of alcohol.

The youngsters were not dependent on drink, like alcoholics, the Mail said, but were drinking heavily with girls the most vulnerable.

Editor John Meehan said: “The campaign seeks to alert parents, retailers and licensees to the disturbing truth that many young people drink to excess regularly – often following the example of their elders.”

Dr John Gosnold, of the Hull and East Riding Alcohol Advisory Service, said alcohol was the biggest single problem among young people in this region.

He voiced a fear that binge drinking could soon claim a child’s life in the region.

The editor said, in Monday’s editorial comment coloumn: “That risk is not exaggerated. In the past month three youngsters have been admitted to local hospitals close to death, having been poisoned by alcohol consumption.

“Our reports today – and those that follow in this campaign – highlight an issue that is rarely acknowledged.

“Our campaign urges our readers to show that they care about changing a dangerous culture which deems it acceptable for young people – and many old enough to know better – to drink themselves senseless.”

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