The impact of alcohol is costing Brighton and Hove £100 million a year.

The startling figure includes the money being spent on treating people with illnesses caused by drinking too much and dealing with alcohol-related crime.

The city's top doctor Tom Scanlon branded the cost ‘shocking’ and said tackling the problem should be made a top priority.

He called for a tougher stance on providing alcohol licences in the city.

Brighton and Hove attracts about 10 million visitors a year and has a reputation as a party town.

However there is growing concern the financial burden of dealing with problems linked to alcohol is becoming too high.

Dr Scanlon said: “This is a city wide issue and affects both visitors and residents in all areas of society.

“The £100 million is a shocking cost and we do need to consider whether we are becoming too liberal about it.

“Personally I feel that a lot of this is down to availability and the low cost of drink and it is something that needs to be looked at.

“There needs to be a serious debate about alcohol.”

The figure was unveiled during a workshop set up by Brighton and Hove City Council's overview and scrutiny committee to investigate alcohol-related harm.

Members were told the increased availability of alcohol and a rise in the number of licences was having an effect on the area.

This applied especially to off-licence sales and where drink was sold very cheaply.

A city council spokesman said it worked closely with the NHS and Sussex Police to control the harm caused by drinking in the city.

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