ALCOHOL RISK TO BABIES

UP to 18,000 British babies a year are born damaged because their mothers drank in pregnancy, research has revealed.

The figure represents three per cent of all births - three times more than previously thought.

It has sparked calls for the risks to be printed on alcoholic drinks.

Dr Raj Mukherjee, a neuro-psychiatrist at St George's Hospital, in London, said: "The safest way to make sure your baby comes to no harm in pregnancy is to abstain."

But the Government insist moderate drinking in pregnancy is safe and said it is working with drinks firms on warning labels.