Sir Liam Donaldson, the chief medical officer said that almost a third of 11 to 15-year-olds get drunk every week. According to statistics, an estimated 630,000 children aged
11 to 17 in the UK drink more than once a week, and around one in five 15-year-olds say they first got drunk when they were 13 or younger.

Sir Donaldson added that childhood should be an "alcohol-free time". He issued new guidance to parents that children under 15 should not drink at all. The government guidelines also advise that children aged 15 to 17 should not drink without the supervision of a parent or care-taker.

He said that the new guidance aimed to support parents, giving them the confidence to set boundaries.

Donaldson said that studies have shown the importance of the family in fostering healthy attitudes to alcohol in children.