A 700 PER CENT rise in alcohol-related admissions to a hospital has been described as "only the tip of the iceberg".

From April 2000 to April 2001,Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup, treated only six people for drink-related illness.

New figures show for the same period in 2004/2005, 48 people were admitted after alcohol abuse ruined their health.

And in a new trend, more women are being admitted with 13 of the 48 being girls under 18.

Consultant Howard Kurtis, who treats patients suffering from liver disease brought on by drinking, is not surprised.

Mr Kurtis, who has worked at the hospital for three years, said: "I thought it would be higher than that actually. This is only the tip of the iceberg.

"I think the figures may not include people who come to us with things such as brain damage because they have abused alcohol. They would be recorded by their symptoms instead.

"These people stay for a few weeks, require lots of attention and burden the NHS."

It is not just alcohol-related admissions which are up.

The hospital's figures show in May 2000 there were no under-18s admitted to casualty because of alcohol.

May this year saw 19 youngsters treated for being drunk.

There were 19 adults treated in casualty in May 2000 and five years later the number has more than doubled to 40.

Sue Howard is a team leader for Bexley and Greenwich Research for Alcohol which provides services for people with alcohol problems.

She said: "I see a lot of people between the ages of 35 and 45 and half of them are women.

"Our referrals have increased since binge drinking was put on the media's agenda but the figures are a surprise."

A spokesman for Bexley Primary Care Trust said: "The trust is committed to improving the health of residents and has taken a number of steps.

"Reduction of harm from alcohol is a key target in its health plan."