Newly-released figures show that 800 claimants, including 210 in Preston, say their main reason for being on benefits is alcoholism.

Similarly, 190 people in Lancaster, 100 in Wyre and 90 in Chorley claim the benefit of up to £84.50 a week because they have a drink addiction.

It comes after it emerged this week Preston has the ninth-highest hospital admission rate for alcohol-related illness in England.

A total of 3,104 people from Preston were admitted to hospital for alcohol-related harm in 2006/07.

Ministers this week unveiled a radical measure of welfare reforms designed to "transform lives" and help achieve the Government's ambition of an 80% employment rate.

People addicted to heroin or crack cocaine will have to declare their problem and agree to treatment if they are to continue receiving benefits. The same will not apply to alcoholics or people addicted to cannabis or cocaine.

However, Whitehall sources believe the idea could be on the agenda in the future and is a logical next step. More than 500,000 people under 35 are now claiming incapacity benefit, costing the Treasury about £12bn a year.

About 40% of recipients are claiming for mental health problems, some 250,000 because of stress-related illnesses, while others cite obesity or eating disorders.

Across England, 38,450 men and women have an alcohol abuse problem so serious they are registered unfit to work and qualify for benefits as a result.

This includes 80 in West Lancashire, 70 in South Ribble, 50 in Fylde and 10 in the Ribble Valley.

A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions said: "No-one automatically gets incapacity benefit because they have a drug or alcohol addiction; what we look at is the effect that has on their ability to work."

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