London, Aug 31 (ANI): An increasing number of lonely and depressed elderly in the UK are turning to drinking, and are dying from booze-related illnesses.

Recent data has revealed that a total of 1,912 over-60s died as a result of boozing in 1999, which has increased 40pct in the last decade to 2,677 in 2008.

Among men, fatalities have risen 44pct - from 1,161 to 1,671 - and among women the toll is up by more than a third, from 751 to 1,006.

Shadow Home Affairs Minister James Brokenshire, who uncovered the data, warned that Ministers were ignoring the problem.

"These figures are a wake-up call on the consequences of Britain's booze culture. This touches all age groups," the Mirror quoted the Tory MP as saying.

Andrew Harrop, of Age Concern and Help the Aged charities, said that Britain's ageing population didn't explain the "very worrying" rise in drink-related deaths.

"More are drinking excessively throughout adult life. The isolation of many older people, particularly if they struggle with mobility, can lead to excessive drinking," he said.

"The death of a spouse or friends also leaves many lonely and depressed.

"Excessive drinking in older adults is often un-diagnosed," he added. (ANI)