BOSCOMBE remains one of the most deprived areas in England, in part due to overcrowded accommodation.

The borough council's alcohol needs assessment report reveals that 14 per cent of Bournemouth's 'lower super output areas' – geographical areas used to define deprivation – are in the top fifth for deprivation across the country, or 15 out of 110.

The most deprived is Boscombe Central, within Boscombe West ward, and the others represent much of the rest of Boscombe, along with Kinson, Strouden Park, East Cliff and Springbourne and Westbourne and West Cliff.

The report states: "Levels of overcrowding in Bournemouth are high with 14 per cent of households having fewer than the number of bedrooms needed to avoid undesirable sharing.

"This is higher than the national rate of 8.7 per cent and neighbouring councils rate of 7.9 per cent.

"Similarly, the number of residents living in houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) is higher in Bournemouth than other neighbouring local authorities.

"The figure is 8.8 per cent in Bournemouth compared to 6.1 per cent across neighbours and 5.8 per cent nationally."

It says "alcohol related harm falls disproportionately on the poorest in society", with those in the most deprived fifth of the population more than twice as likely to be admitted to hospital, to suffer chronic health problems and death as a result of alcohol.