The amount of alcohol Britons drink has fallen by almost a fifth over the past decade, but beer sales are increasing, according to research.

Customers collecting their drinks in a pub, as the amount of alcohol Britons drink has fallen by almost a fifth over the past decade.

Customers collecting their drinks in a pub, as the amount of alcohol Britons drink has fallen by almost a fifth over the past decade. Image by Yui Mok/PA Wire

People drank an average of 7.76 litres of alcohol last year, slightly down on 2013, and over a litre and a half less than in 2004, said the British Beer & Pub Association.

Its annual study, based on HM Revenue and Customs tax returns, found that consumption has fallen in eight of the last 10 years.

Beer’s share of the market increased by 1% to over 36% last year, ahead of wine (33%), spirits (21%) and cider (8%).

(Press Association)