DRINKING levels in the South East have reached above UK average during lockdown, research reveals.

Lockdown and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic could have a lasting impact on drinking levels – and therefore health consequences – for many people if action is not taken, warns charity Drinkaware.

The alcohol education charity revealed more than a quarter of adults in the South East are drinking more alcohol since lockdown started.

This is higher than the national average where 22 per cent of adults in the UK are drinking more since lockdown began.

A total of 13 per cent of people in the South East are drinking on more days, while 12 per cent are drinking alone when they wouldn’t usually.

Chief Executive of Drinkaware Elaine Hindal said: "Sticking to the low risk drinking guidelines of no more than 14 units a week – that’s about six glasses of wine or six pints of beer – is a good place to start to help you keep track.”

Drinkaware has an online self-assessment to help identify whether someone should be concerned about how much they drink.