The number of alcohol-related deaths in South Ayrshire increased over the 12 months from 2020 to 2021.

The latest figures have been revealed in a recent report from the National Records of Scotland (NRS).

Scotland-wide, alcohol-related deaths increased by 55, to 1,245 – the highest figure since 2008.

South Ayrshire saw figures increase after a drop in 2020, going from 27 in 2019, to 20 in 2020, and 24 in the latest figures.

Though 24 deaths is an increasing figure, pre-2019, the record number of mortalities was in 2006 when 30 deaths were recorded.

The Ayrshire and Arran Health Board as a whole also lies above the national average.

In 2021, in East and North Ayrshire, there were 30 and 37 alcohol-related deaths respectively.

The average mortality rates per 100,000 population in Scottish council areas, between 2017-2021. Source: National Records of Scotland.

The national average mortality rate (for alcohol-related deaths) per 100,000 population sat at 20.8 between the years 2017 and 2021.

This gave the NHS Ayrshire and Arran health board an average of 21.5.