Warnings about the dangers of alcohol appear to have cut consumption among men and women, although men continue to drink far more than women – an average of 18.7 units a week in 2006, compared with nine for women.

But the ONS said the proportion of people drinking more than the recommended amount had fallen over the past six years from 29 per cent to 23 per cent among men and from 17 per cent to 12 per cent among women.

Men are advised not to drink more than 21 units a week and women no more than 14.

The findings also showed that the English drank more, at 13.7 units per week, than the Welsh (13.5) and significantly more than the Scots (11.6).

The ONS stressed that comparisons with previous years were difficult because the way a unit is defined has changed to reflect bigger glasses, stronger wines and larger measures.

A small (125ml) glass of wine now counts as 1.5 units and half a pint of strong beer as two.

Frank Soodeen, of the charity Alcohol Concern, said: “Over the past 20 years middle class families particularly have moved ­alcohol from the fringe of their lives to the centre of it – because it is so available, they are drinking almost on a daily basis.”

But Jeremy Beadles, chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, said: “The message of responsible drinking is continuing to get out as the long-term trends continue to improve.

“It is further evidence that calls for increased taxation on alcoholic drinks are misdirected.”

Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo said: “These figures show that 40 per cent of men and 33 per cent of women drank more than the daily recommendations on at least one day in the previous week, although more people than ever before know about measuring alcohol in units.

“The Government will launch shortly a major campaign to coincide with the introduction of new labelling on all bottles and cans that will ensure everyone is able to estimate the alcohol unit content and how much they are drinking.

There will be a review of alcohol pricing and promotion and toughened enforcement of blocking sales to the underaged.

“This is not about preaching. It is important that people have the information to make their own decisions and that they are fully aware of the health consequences of consuming too much alcohol.”