It says an estimated 27.7 percent of adults in the Dales binge drink, compared to 20.1 percent across the whole country.

Following the report, compiled by the Association of Public Heath Observatories, Derbyshire County Council has drawn up a Local Area Agreement (LAA) with the government which aims to prioritise combatting alcohol misuse.

Derbyshire PCT clinical advisor Linda Syson-Nibbs said: "We are aware of the health consequences of drinking alcohol but the average layperson doesn't know what constitutes as binge drinking - for a woman its more than two large glasses of wine."

The figures have come as no surprise to most drinkers out in the town this week who blamed cheap supermarket booze for the problem.

James Warner, manager of the The Crown in Matlock said: "Having also worked in other pubs, including one in Chesterfield I think the levels of binge drinking are the same everywhere.

"I'm not surprised it's a problem when supermarkets sell alcohol at such low prices."

Martin Higton, 22, from Matlock, who doesn't drink but visits pubs with his friends who do said: "The figures don't surprise me, not in the slightest. "You can walk around here at 3pm and see people drinking cider and black.

He added: "It's horrible and a waste of money."

Martin's friend, Katie Goodall who is 18 and from Matlock says she drinks mostly at weekends.

She said: "I don't think it's that bad here. I've seen worse in other places and there doesn't seem to be much violence in Matlock.

"At the weekends I do drink a lot."

The report also revealed that the number of road injuries and deaths in the area were higher than average, with 122 in every 100,000 affected, compared to the national average of 51.3 in every 100,000.

However, general public health in the district is better than the average, with the number of deaths from heart disease, stroke and cancer lower than most other areas.

The council's LAA will also target road injuries and deaths and other factors that are being focussed on on a national level, such as teenage pregnancy.