NEARLY 60,000 children in Lancashire have been affected by someone else’s drinking

The research, carried out by national campaign Drink Wise, revealed one in five adults in the North-West knew of a child affected by the excessive drinking of a friend, family member or stranger.

It included a special study in Blackburn with Darwen last summer - one of six.across the North-West The regional survey contacted more than 1,000 adults.

It reveals five children in every classroom across the North West has been affected by someone else’s drinking.

It estimated 45,710 children in Lancashire had been impacted.

Of these 7,294 were in Blackburn with Darwen.

The Lancashire County Council area (which covers Burnley, Pendle, Hyndburn. Ribble Valley, Rossendale and Chorley) has an estimated 45,710 young people damaged.

Drink Wise gives figures show that because of ‘passive drinking’: in Lancashire 5,485 children have been anxious; 3,657 children have been neglected; 3,657 have missed school;2,742 have been mentally affected; 2,285 have missed leisure activities; 1,371 are in physical danger; and 914 have missed health appointments.

This compares to Blackburn with Darwen where 875 have been anxious; 583 have been neglected; 583 have missed school; 437 have been mentally affected; 365 have missed leisure activities; 219 are in physical danger;and 146 have missed health appointments.

Lancashire County Council health boss Azhar Ali said: “There are many reasons why people become addicted to drinking alcohol.

"Unfortunately children are often the ones who are badly affected, through no fault of their own.”

Blackburn with Darwen’s lead member for health Brian Taylor said: “It is clear that we must do more to keep alcohol out of childhood.

“We need to acknowledge that children are surrounded by a world of drink.

“Key to tackling our alcohol culture is addressing the way in which alcohol is priced, promoted and made available.”

The report said: “Our survey reveals a dark trend. Even when children are choosing not to drink alcohol, too many are being affected by the excesses of other people’s drinking- the unseen victims of our excessive alcohol culture.”