More than 100 underage drinkers have been admitted to hospitals in Barnet over a three year period - the third highest number in London.

103 under-18s required hospital treatment for alcohol related problems between 2004 and 2007 in the borough, according to Government figures released last week.

The number is double that in some other London boroughs and more than four times the figure in neighbouring Harrow.

A survey conducted by Ofsted last year has also suggested around one in 30 children between the ages of 11 and 14 in Barnet had been drunk three or more times in the last four weeks.

Only one third of the children who took part in the survey said they had never had an alcoholic drink, and the same number said they had never been drunk.

A spokesman for Barnet Primary Care Trust said it was inevitable that large boroughs like Barnet would have relatively high figures.

Dr Andrew Burnett, Medical Director at Barnet PCT, added: "Misuse of alcohol is a significant cause of social and law enforcement problems and longer-term misuse can lead to a variety of health problems including obesity, heart disease, a number of cancers, fertility problems and liver failure.

"Barnet PCT and Barnet Council are working together to help people, especially young people, understand these risks and how to avoid them."

Councillor Fiona Bulmer, cabinet member for children and youth services, said: “These figures are of course a concern. Clearly there’s a national problem with drinking to get drunk being seen as acceptable.

“But we do have support both in schools and youth services to work with young people and ensure that they take a sensible attitude to drinking.”

The Connexions service offers advice to children in schools who have experienced problems with alcohol.

The PCT runs a service called Barnet Impact that provides free and confidential support, information and access to treatment for under-19s who have been affected by either drug or alcohol misuse.

The service is run by specialist workers who can address these issues and also help parents or carers if they are concerned that their child could be drinking or taking drugs.

However, Mrs Bulmer described the problem as a “broader social issue” that cannot only be tackled by the local authority.

“It’s clearly a broader social issue, not just one for the council,” she said. ”It’s a challenge but I do think in Barnet we are trying to address this.”

The chief medical officer for England last week placed the onus on parents to recognise when their children are abusing alcohol and tackle the issue themselves.

Sir Liam Donaldson published guidelines for parents last week. He stressed that children should not drink at all under the age of 15 and between the ages of 15 and 17 should only do so with guidance from parents or carers.