More people are treated at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford for alcohol-related problems than at almost every other hospital across the Thames Valley, new figures have revealed.

The news comes after the hospital decided alcohol-related admissions had reached such an alarming level it needed to employ a nurse to find out more about drinking patterns in Oxford.

The report, produced by the South East England Public Health Observatory, found that in the 12 months to April 2005 roughly three people from Oxford per day (700 people a year per 100,000 of population) were admitted to the John Radcliffe for alcohol-related reasons.

That is the second highest rate of alcohol-related hospital admissions in the Thames Valley, with Cherwell having the third highest rate at just over 600 admissions to hospital a year per 100,000 of population. Milton Keynes topped the league with 750. All three were well above the South East average of 550 admissions per 100,000 people.

Dr Philip Hormbrey, an A&E consultant at the JR, said: "To someone who works in an emergency department these statistics are not hugely surprising, but the number of people we treat for alcohol-related problems in Oxford is far too high."

The report also shows that between 2000 and 2002 weekly alcohol consumption by Oxfordshire men was the highest in the South East at 19 units - about nine pints of lager or two bottles of wine.

A nurse is to be employed at the JR to identify the causes of alcohol related admissions and pass on the results to organisations such as the police and Nightsafe. It could identify, for example, if people admitted had all been drinking in a particular nightclub or part of the city centre.

Mr Hormbrey added: "No one group is any worse than any other. We treat the young, the old, male and female for alcohol-related problems.

"Whereas in the past you would get a few incidents of alcohol-related injuries, now they are on a daily basis throughout the week."

"It does not surprise me. I think Oxfordshire has particular issues. It is quite a rural county and a lot of people come into the city centre to drink. It has a large night time community, and it is also a vibrant two university city.

"And part of the culture in young people growing up now is a drinking culture.

"The culture has changed from 10 years ago when raves were the big thing. They were a problem because of the drugs, but that was not alcohol-related."