Council and health chiefs have hailed the launch of a hard-hitting report to tackle Kent's binge-drinking culture as a great success and one that won't stay on the shelf.

Cabinet member for public health, Cllr Graham Gibbens, says he will take full responsibility if the 28 recommendations in the report do not become "realities".

Cllr Gibbens said: "The big role for me is to make sure that this report does not sit on the shelf but the recommendations really become realities and turn them into actions and that is what I am committed to do.

"Every three months I shall be meeting with the committee and members and officers to make sure that change happens."

Among the goals are that more alcohol education should be given to children in primary school.

The strategy calls for more personal and social education to be given in primary and secondary schools and KCC is urging the Government to raise the profile of alcohol misuse.

Colin Tomson, chairman of the Eastern and Coastal Kent Primary Care Trust, say he wants every board of school governors to be more accountable on this issue.

He said: "Education is absolutely critical. This has been an exciting day - it has been a combination of education, engagement, health and social services.

"I would, however, strongly argue that every board of governors of every school including primary schools should be holding itself to account and justifying why if it is not providing a good PSHE programme, why are they not doing that because it gives young people a chance to have a choice.

"The problem that we face is not one that one group can solve on its own. It's not something the health system, the local council education system or one individual can work on but if we get our act together with a common purpose and then bring together a good assessment of what the problems are in each locality then we can build better systems and care.

"For only one in 20 people who need services actually get them. We may have ideas but the people in need may not have access to them.

"One of things of the select committee report is to create a joint needs assessment to look carefully at those who need help."

What the KCC stats show: