The number of binge-drinking women has nearly doubled in recent years, according to research led by an Oxford Brookes University academic.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation found that almost one in six women aged over 16 now drinks more than double the recommended daily amount of three units.

And the report’s lead author, Lesley Smith from Brookes, said the gender gap between excessive drinking by men and women was decreasing.

Ms Smith, from Oxford Brookes University, the lead author of the report, said: “An examination of trends over the last 15 to 20 years indicates that it is generally the behaviour of women that has increased towards that of men, at least in the UK where the gender gap in drinking at excessive and harmful levels has decreased over the years.”

She believed women’s increased independence and financial security were two reasons for the increase.

But surprisingly the report also showed that there had been an increase in drinking by middle-aged and older people.

She added: “Much concern has been expressed in recent years about young people’s drinking — and young people binge-drinking in particular.

“Many people will be surprised to learn that young men’s drinking, including binge-drinking, has gone down in recent years, while middle age and older people’s drinking has increased.”

A Department of Health spokesman said: “In the past year we have announced a package of measures to tackle excessive drinking and reduce alcohol health harm.”