Police and paramedics are warning of a worrying rise in the number of children drinking alcohol to excess.

The number of alcohol-related ambulance call outs to 14-year-olds in Brighton and Hove has risen 500 per cent over the past three years.

Calls to help under 18s affected by drink also rose by 89 per cent.

An ex-paramedic told The Argus how he was once called to a 13-year-old boy who had collapsed after drinking three quarters of a bottle of vodka.

The statistics were revealed as 11 off-licences and supermarkets - or 79 per cent - out of a total of 14 checked were found to be selling alcohol to underage drinkers as young as 14 years old.

As part of a police crackdown, youngsters aged 14 to 16 were sent into shops in anti-social hotspots to try to buy alcopops, wine and beer.

Three pubs tested failed to ask for identification.

Shop assistants and bar staff who served the youngsters were hit with an £80 fine.

A senior police officer said there was an "irrefutable link" between alcohol sales and the rise in ambulance call outs and antisocial behaviour.

Medical experts warned excessive drinking at such a young age could cause major health problems later in life.

Superintendent Kevin Moore said: "There is certainly a hardcore nucleus of youngsters who are drinking regularly."

Janine Bell, Sussex Ambulance spokeswoman, said: "Drinking to excess at such a young age can have damaging effects to health later in life, including liver damage, ulcers and the potential for further alcohol abuse."

In 2001-2002, the ambulance service was called to five 14-year-olds who needed help after drinking too much alcohol. This figure rose to 25 in 2004-2005. The number of calls to help under 18s rose from 44 to 83 over the same period.

Supt Moore added: "It does make me angry when shops and pubs sell alcohol to children because we have been sending this message out for quite a number of months and, clearly, people are blatantly ignoring it.

"The bottom line is we will hit them hard and in the pocket if we need to. We will refer repeat offenders to the licensing authority.

"It's not just about breaking the law, it's about the youngsters' health.

"If they drink to excess regularly it will do them damage or they will put themselves in vulnerable situations."

Trevor Roman, 58, who used to be a paramedic with Sussex Ambulance Service, was shocked when he discovered a 13-year-old boy who had collapsed after drinking too much.

He said: "Luckily he was on an incline so when he vomited he did not choke. Otherwise it would have been a lot worse."

Alcohol support groups have also voiced fears.

A spokeswoman for Alcohol Concern said: "It places a huge burden on accident and emergency departments.

"We need to make sure they don't have access to alcohol. The consequences are very serious - they could end up having sexual experiences they regret or put themselves in a vulnerable position."

An Alcoholics Anonymous spokesman added: "Alcoholism has no respect for age. It can affect anyone. We have a number of young members."

The off-licences, stores and pubs caught were: Somerfield, London Road, Brighton; Co-op, London Road and Preston Drove, Brighton; Stop To Shop, London Road, Brighton; Pop In Shop, West Street, Brighton; St George's Store, Western Road, Brighton; Threshers, Preston Road and Kings Parade, Brighton; The Liquor Store, Coombe Terrace, Brighton; Wetherspoons, West Street, Brighton; International Wine and Beer, Lewes Road, Brighton; The Master Mariner, Brighton Marina; Polar East Bar, St George's Road, Brighton.

A Somerfield spokesman said: "We are treating this very seriously. The store manager has been informed and is investigating the incident, as well as strongly reinforcing policies on alcohol sales."

A spokesman for Stop To Shop said: "We make sure we don't sell to under-18s and this was an accident."