The Conservatives have established a working party to examine the problem of binge drinking.

The study follows a series of warnings about the social and health costs of excessive alcohol consumption.

Research suggests that binge drinking is a major source of crime and is responsible for one in six cases handled by hospital casualty departments.

To be chaired by shadow home affairs minister Julian Brazier, the group will examine ways to combat the problem which scars many of Britain's streets on a Friday and Saturday night.

The working party will report back next January after consulting experts in the field and looking at efforts to tackle binge drinking in other countries.

It is expected that recommendations will be announced at the Tories' spring conference in Harrogate.

"The government has been far too complacent about binge drinking. The fact that the problem now cuts across three departments - the Home Office, the Department of Health, and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport - indicates a need for coherent, joined-up thinking," said Brazier.