NHS AYRSHIRE and Arran had more children and teenagers treated for alcohol abuse than any other part of Scotland, it was revealed this week.

A Freedom of Information request by the Scottish Liberal Democrats showed the local area had 86 children under the age of 10 treated between 2011 and 2013 – well ahead of Tayside who were next on 61 and Forth Valley on 33.

The three areas again made up the top three in the 10-18 years age group with Ayrshire and Arran having a staggering 1,483 youngsters treated in the same period.

Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, said: “The SNP Government is aware of this issue, which is one of the reasons we are committed to bringing in minimum unit pricing of alcohol, which is currently being delayed by legal action.

“This is part of a package of measures to tackle the problems and change the nature of Scotland’s relationship with alcohol.

“We are also taking forward substance abuse education in our schools to alert children to the dangers of alcohol, drugs, tobacco and solvents to help them realise their impact with a view to encouraging them to make healthier and more positive life choices.” Jim Hume MSP, the Lib Dems’ health spokesman said: “People will be shocked to learn that more than 200 children under 10 years of age were treated for alcohol-related injury or illness. These children should be out kicking a ball about, not hitting the bottle.

“It should set alarm bells ringing across society that so many young people who should not be drinking are being treated by our NHS staff for alcohol-related conditions.

“Problem drinking can rip apart families and places enormous financial strain on our public services, from our hospitals to our criminal justice system.” Mr Hume called for the Scottish Government to work with young people to address the “troubling” figures.

He added: “If we are to change our national drinking culture young people must be given the education they need to make informed decisions about the impact alcohol misuse can have on their lives.”