WITH the approach of the party season, doctors in Bury are warning that just one glass of wine could tip motorists over the drink-drive limit.

GPs issued the alert as stronger wines from hotter regions such as California, Australia and New Zealand become more popular.

Wines from these countries often have a higher alcoholic content of at least 12 to 14 per cent compared to wines from cooler countries such as Germany, which usually contain seven to 10 per cent of alcohol.

This, coupled with the growth in measures served in recent years, can, say medical officers, not only put a driver close to the legal limit but cause health problems as the recommended units of alcohol per day may be reduced if applied to these wines.

Doctors also stress that alcopops have "hidden dangers" because although they taste like fizzy drinks they contain a high content of alcohol and drinkers may be more drunk than they realise.

Dr Derek Fletcher, chairman of the professional executive committee and GP at the Minden Medical Centre in Bury, said: "I am very disturbed about how easy it is to drink too much alcohol without even realising it. I see more and more problem drinkers in my surgery. We must alert people to these dangers."

Dr Peter Elton, director of public health for Bury, added: "Drivers often don't appreciate how quickly they are becoming a danger when they get behind the wheel of a car. Just one glass could be one too many."