Ten children a month are being hauled before the courts in West Yorkshire for being drunk and disorderly, it has been revealed.

Home Office figures show West Yorkshire Police took action against 125 youngsters aged ten to 17 in 2006 - up from 62 the previously year.

Between 1997 and last year a total of 1,573 children appeared before the courts accused of drunken behaviour.

The worst year for offenders was 1997, where 314 youngsters were prosecuted.

A further 510 on-the-spot fines have been handed out to 16 and 17-year olds in West Yorkshire for being drunk and disorderly since the Government introduced the Penalty Notice for Disorder (PND) in 2004.

The figures were released in response to a Parliamentary question by Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker.

The news comes less than a fortnight after the Government started a four-week strategy to tackle irresponsible drinkers.

The responsible alcohol sales campaign will attempt to identify problem premises which sell alcohol to underage drinkers.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "These issues include anti-social and nuisance behaviour as well as the negative effects of drink. The increase reflects the positive impact our Neighbourhood Policing Teams are having."

Recently published health profiles for the area have revealed one in six adults admit to binge drinking. Figures showed 1,272 people across the district were admitted to hospital in a year for an "alcohol-related illness."

Last month the Government announced a review of shops being able to sell alcohol after 11pm, but said there would not be an end to the current 24-hour drinking laws.

Children as young as five are to get lessons on the dangers of alcohol to tackle the epidemic.