New report shows increase in liver disease deaths

More than 800 people in Wales died from liver disease in the last five years - an increase of almost 20%.

The Government's Annual Statement of Progress for Liver Disease found that 40% of adults reported drinking above the guidelines on at least one day a week.

It also showed that 59% of adults are overweight and obese.

The most common causes of liver disease in the UK are down to lifestyle factors including obesity, excess alcohol consumption and blood borne viral hepatitis.

Underlying causes of liver disease have also been linked to social deprivation and can affect the poorest communities.

However the report did find the number of deaths related to alcohol has stabilised after an increase in the last decade.

Alcohol related deaths went from 504 in 2012 to 463 in 2015.

29 deaths a week in Wales are wholly or partly attributable to alcohol.

Health Secretary, Vaughan Gething praised the report's alcohol findings but said that improvements must continue.