PA
Alcohol awareness charity Drinkaware will launch a campaign today to highlight the issues surrounding children and alcohol.
The campaign aims to get parents talking to their children about drink and making them aware of the dangers of alcohol and the importance of responsible drinking from an early age.
Drinkaware researchers found 76 per cent of 16 to 17 year olds who have had an alcoholic drink have been drunk at least once.
The charity says that over 20,000 under 18s are admitted to hospital as a result of drinking alcohol every year, and the average age of a child's first unsupervised drink is just under 14.
Most parents - 90 per cent - think it is up to them to set a good example to their children with their own drinking habits, whilst 78 per cent of mums and dads think it is appropriate for 15 to 17 year olds to drink.
Drinkaware has help and advice on its website about talking to your teenagers about sensible drinking.
Do you talk to your teens about drinking safely and responsibly?