AT least one-in-five adults in Bury drinks too much, according to statistics from Bury Primary Care Trust.

Despite a small reduction between 2002 and 2005, figures also show that one-in-30 is a problem drinker, drinking more than twice the "sensible" limit, and that the reducing cost of alcohol means it is not just people with more money who are drinking to excess.

Dr Peter Elton, director of public health, revealed the new figures at the Bury Primary Care Trust (PCT) professional executive committee meeting. He said: "There are too many people suffering from the ill-effects of alcohol. We are hoping to introduce more help in general practice for problem drinkers to try to combat this."

Weekly "sensible drinking" is classed as up to 14 units for women and 21 units for men. One unit of alcohol equals about a half-pint of normal strength lager, cider or bitter, a 25ml measure of spirits, or a 50ml pub measure of fortified wine. Problem drinking is more than 35 units for women and 50 units for men a week.

Police divisional commander for Bury, Chief Superintendent David Anthony, urged people to take note of the police Think Safe - Drink Safe campaign and plan their drinking around safety.He said: "Binge drinking is a contributing factor in much of the anti-social behaviour that goes on in Bury. Excessive drinking cannot only lead you to behaving anti-socially, getting involved in arguments and fights, but can also make you more susceptible to becoming a victim of a crime.

"Even drinking excessively at home can be dangerous as you are more prone to having accidents - such as tripping and falling, dropping things and even setting your home on fire. Being drunk makes you less capable of getting help when this happens, or making the right decisions to safeguard yourself or those that rely on you. You will have a much better time if you drink sensibly."