CHARITY leaders have called for improved access to rehab services after it emerged Glasgow has the highest number of alcoholics on benefits in the UK.

Scotland's largest city has twice as many people out of work because of alcoholism than anywhere else.

Alcohol Focus Scotland called for more help for people battling alcoholism and said the figures underlined the importance of a minimum pricing policy.

Public health leaders in Glasgow also called for a ban on alcohol advertising.

A total of 2,280 claimants in Glasgow are classed disabled due to their drinking - more than four per cent of the UK's 52,000 boozers on Employment and Support Allowance when the City makes up less than one per cent of the population.

Three of the worst 10 council areas are in Scotland, with Edinburgh fifth and North Lanarkshire seventh.

Birmingham had the second highest figure, but its one million population is almost double Glasgow's.

Barbara O'Donnell, deputy chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, said: "It's not surprising that Glasgow has so many people claiming disability benefit because of an alcohol-related condition.

"Glasgow has particularly high levels of alcohol-related harm, with people living in deprived parts of the city being most affected.

"We need to do more to help people into successful treatment as well as prevent problems from developing in the first place.

"Minimum pricing will get rid of the cheapest, strongest drinks which fuel problem drinking. This will reduce consumption, reduce harm and save lives."

It is estimated there are 13,650 problem alcohol users in Glasgow City area alone - 20 per cent of which are women and 80 per cent men.

Some 65,000 Scottish children are estimated to live with a parent whose drinking is problematic.

In Glasgow alone, 10,000 children have a father with problem alcohol use and around 3,600 have a mother with alcohol problems.

It is estimated that the cost of violent crime in Glasgow City, of which many are alcohol related, is £262.1 million.

Dr Linda de Caestecker, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde director of public health, said: "The effects of alcohol misuse not only damage an individual's health but have a devastating impact on families and communities.

"Reducing excessive consumption of alcohol is therefore one of the west of Scotland's most significant public health challenges

"More effective interventions are in relation to the availability and price of alcohol.

"Minimum pricing could have a major impact on alcohol related harm and we must continue to work towards this.

"I welcome the new lower drink driving levels as another important national initiative and I would like to see a ban on alcohol advertising."

A spokeswoman for Glasgow City Council said: "Reducing harm from alcohol is a key priority and there are signs consumption is falling."

In a statement the Scottish Government said it was committed to tackling alcohol misuse.