PEOPLE are being urged to monitor how much they drink after a report showing that those in middle-class areas are more likely to consume dangerous amounts of alcohol than those in poorer areas.

Research commissioned by the Department of Health found that the percentage of over-16s drinking at hazardous levels was highest in some of the country's wealthiest areas. Seven out of the 10 worst are in Surrey.

One large glass of wine can represent three units, placing women in the danger zone at five to seven glasses a week and men at seven to 17 glasses a week.

Barry Webb, deputy director of public health for Bournemouth and Poole, said: "There has been an increase in the number of people going into hospital as a result of drink-related conditions.

"Sixty per cent of those admitted with alcohol-related problems are 35 or over, and that may correlate with people who have money to spend on drink."

He added: "Those people who are consuming alcohol on a regular continuing basis may not appreciate the harm it can do.

"A bottle of wine every evening between two people would be too much."

GP and local British Medical Association representative Dr Tom McKinstry said: "Drinking in the middle classes is a problem because wine has become a much-liked drink in the UK.

"You're not aware of drinking your units, but are using it as a lubricant. If you open a bottle, it's gone in one meal.

"We're picking up quite a few abnormal liver function tests when we're doing routine testing for cholesterol.

"We advise people not to drink again, but that has such a devastating impact on their lifestyle that it's very difficult unless they are exceptionally strong-willed."

Alison Rogers, chief executive of the Ringwood-based British Liver Trust, said: "We don't want to stop people drinking at home, however we would urge them to try and keep a tab on how much they have. For instance, one large glass of red wine can be over the advised daily limit for women."

Professor Mark Bellis, of the Centre for Public Health, warned that one in 20 adults in England are drinking enough to make alcohol-related disease "practically inevitable."