The rate of hospital admissions caused by alcohol-related liver disease in South Gloucestershire has rocketed over the last five years.

Liver experts at the Institute of Hepatology said the figures are 'horrifying' and called on the Government to set a minimum price per unit of alcohol to discourage drinking.

The latest data from Public Health England shows that the rate has gone up to 35 patients admitted for every 100,000 people between April 2016 and March 2017 - 91 per cent higher than five years earlier.

That means that 94 people in South Gloucestershire were admitted due to this condition in 2016-17.

This is still below the national average of 39 for every 100,000 people.

The data shows that men are twice as likely as women to receive hospital treatment.

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."

Professor Roger Williams, director of the Institute of Hepatology, proposed setting a minimum price per unit of alcohol to curb drinking.

"Liver disease mortality rates have increased about 600 per cent in the last 50 years. That happens because alcohol consumption has increased and the costs of alcoholic drinks proportionally have fallen.

"Setting a minimum alcohol price is a highly effective way of dealing with the problem."

Scotland adopted this measure in May, setting a 50 pence minimum price per unit.