THE year-old 24-hour-drinking law is causing increasing health and social problems, a charity said today.

The British Liver Trust claims that the benefits of the liberalisation have not materialised.

And it described the government's message to the public as "confusing and contradictory".

The trust said although the licensing laws promote the convenience of alcohol, the latest government anti-binge drinking campaign reinforces the fact that drinking to excess can lead to taking personal risks.

It said that the overwhelming message to society is that it is still acceptable to drink around the clock without any thought to the health impact that alcohol can have.