NEW figures which reveal the scale of binge drinking among schoolchildren have increased pressure on the Government to abandon its plans to extend late-night opening.

Almost a quarter (23 per cent) of 11 to 15-year-olds say that they drink alcohol and, for the first time, girls are drinking as often as boys, according to a survey of almost 10,000 children for the NHS.

The findings raise new concerns about the health and safety of teenage girls. While their total consumption is still lower than boys, they are catching up fast, because of the popularity of sweet cocktails and alcopops.

Drunkenness was common among young teenagers. Of those who said that they drank, half of the girls and 42 per cent of the boys said that they had been inebriated. About one fifth of the girls said that they had felt sick, while a tenth had vomited because of drink.

The figures were released as the backlash against licensing reform gathered pace.

Critics, ranging from politicians to the police and senior judges, say that the Government must postpone the introduction of round-the-clock drinking until binge drinking is under control. They say that it is not too late to reverse the changes, which are due to be introduced on November 24.

Theresa May, the Shadow Culture Secretary, called the figures further proof that the Government should think again.

“It is absolute madness for the Government to press ahead when all the evidence shows that we are on the verge of an explosion of drinking in this country. It is particularly worrying that the units of alcohol consumed by girls has almost doubled since 1990,” she said.

Mrs May was also concerned at plans to relax the licensing laws for supermarkets: “Under the new laws, huge numbers of supermarkets, which tend to be a magnet for children who want to buy alcohol, have applied for round the clock licences. What kind of message are we sending out to children about drinking when the Government is intent on making it available 24/7?”

The average consumption of alcohol by young teenagers has doubled since 1990, from 5.3 units to 10.7, but has remained steady for four years. The survey, by the National Centre for Social Research, showed that among young teenagers who drink, boys consume an average of 11.3 units a week, equivalent to 5½ pints of beer, and girls 10.2 units. However, a quarter had consumed 14 or more units a week.

It is legal for children over five to drink in their homes. At 16, children can consume alcohol with a meal in a restaurant or pub dining area if the drink is bought for them. The legal age for buying drink is 18.

The survey found that that 11 per cent of pupils had used cannabis in the past year — down from 13 per cent in 2001-03. Only 4 per cent had taken a Class A drug, such as cocaine.

Victoria Manning, of Action on Addiction, said that the charity was concerned about high levels of alcohol consumption.

“We know that young people are more at risk from a variety of ill-effects as a result of binge drinking because they generally have a smaller stature,” she said. “We really need to look at the factors that are causing people of such a young age to drink in this way.”

The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have joined forces to oppose changes to the licensing laws. Police are divided on the issue, but senior chief constables have spoken out, saying that they will not be able to control drunken behaviour.

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