THE huge impact of alcohol related illness and burden of booze-related hospital admissions on the health services in Hampshire has been revealed.

New figures released by national health chiefs shows how people are dying and falling ill from drink and complications arising from it.

Now health leaders are warning more must be done to tackle the problem and reduce the huge burden on the health service.

The data, compiled by Public Health England (PHE), comes as the family of Charles Kennedy reveal that his death was down to his battle with alcoholism.

The former Liberal Democrat leader, who headed the party between the 1999 and 2004, died at his home in Fort William on Monday, aged just 55.

A post mortem found he suffered a "major haemorrhage" that was "a consequence of his battle with alcoholism", Mr Kennedy's family said.

They added: "Ultimately this was an illness Charles could not conquer despite all the efforts he and others made.''

Figures reveal that 16.5 out of every 100,000 people in Southampton died specifically because of alcohol between 2011 and 2013.

This was higher than the 11.9 per 100,000 average recorded for England and nearly double the 8.9 out of every 100,000 people in Hampshire losing their lives over the same period.

Meanwhile 534 people out of every 100,000 people in the city were admitted to hospital due to alcohol - compared to 374 out of every 100,000 people across the whole country.

In Hampshire 286 people out of every 100,000 people were taken to hospital over the same period.

Southampton shows a high rates of hospital admissions due to alcohol among under 18s with 87.1 of every 100,000 youths taken to hospital due to drink.

This was more than double the average for England of 40.1 per 100,000 and 36.7 per 100,000 in Hampshire.

Southampton City Council cabinet member for health and adult social care Councillor Dave Shields said he working with colleagues in the authorities health and wellbeing board and added: “It is something that we are very worried about and it is something that we are looking at.

“It isn’t just bad for people’s health it is costing the health service money that we cannot afford.

“We need to look at it seriously. We tend to focus on illegal drugs and while they cause a problem the burden of alcohol-related illness is much bigger on the health service.

“If you look at the admissions to hospital over the weekends it is a huge burden that affects the system very much.

“We need to do something to relieve the pressure.”

Professor Kevin Fenton, Director of Health and Wellbeing at PHE said: "Current levels of harm caused by alcohol remain unacceptably high, especially within the most deprived communities, who suffer the most from poor health in general.

"Much of this harm is preventable and we need further action at a national and local level to implement the most effective evidence based policies.

"Public Health England will continue to provide leadership and support to local areas to reduce the devastating harm that alcohol can cause to individuals, families and communities."

Mr Kennedy admitted publicly that he had been receiving treatment for an alcohol problem just months after leading the party to its greatest success in the 2005 general election.

Despite declaring his hope to continue at the head of the party, he was forced to stand down in the face of the threat of resignations by senior colleagues.

Some of the greatest moments of Mr Kennedy's 32-year political career were remembered during 90 minutes of tributes at the House of Commons led by Prime Minister David Cameron, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg and Labour leader Harriet Harman.

His ex-wife, Sarah, and 10-year-old son Donald attended a special session in the House of Commons yesterday where MPs paid their respects.

A family statement continued: “The pain we feel has been at least eased somewhat by the reaction of so many people across Scotland, the UK and beyond, and by the affection expressed by politicians across the spectrum.

''It has become all too apparent to us how much Charles meant to so many people and how many lives he touched.''

''The words and images of that day, and of so many other tributes, will be there for us to look back on with pride in Charles, and Donald will always know what a special father he had,'' the family said.

The family thanked the public authorities and emergency services for dealing with the death ''with such courtesy, kindness and efficiency'' and said funeral arrangements could now be made and announced in due course.