OXFORDSHIRE'S hospitals treated 5,163 people for alcohol-related illnesses last year - about 14 each day.

And, on average, one person a day was patched up for injuries caused by drink-fuelled violence in Oxford city centre.

The figures came as the Government unveiled its review into 24-hour drinking.

We were told that in a typical month, 30 people are taken to A&E - 360 people a year - for injuries caused by alcohol violence.

John Radcliffe A&E nurse Clare Mylam said: "During altercations or assaults, glasses and bottles are used as weapons and we typically see broken noses and head injuries.

"People often injure themselves while intoxicated by falling on broken glass. I have seen a couple of cases where people have unintentionally ingested glass. When people are admitted with intoxication they need careful monitoring as they can potentially choke on their own vomit or block their airway."

City licensing committee chairman Ed Turner said: "These figures should concern everyone and clearly this is a worry, but we will continue to work closely with the police to minimise incidents of drink-fuelled violence."

Oxford police commander, Supt Brendan O'Dowda, said: "These figures do not surprise me at all, but we are keeping a lid on alcohol-related violence and antisocial behaviour and I will continue to deploy officers where they are needed, because it is a priority for me."