WILTSHIRE Council and NHS Wiltshire are urging residents to sign a pledge committing to staying alcohol free for at least two days a week to mark Alcohol Awareness Week 2012, which runs from November 19 to 24.

Alcohol Awareness Week is an annual campaign to highlight the dangers of drinking too much.

In Wiltshire, there were 9,114 alcohol-related hospital admissions in 2010/11. Data shows that baby boomers – 55 to 74-year-olds – are 10 times more likely to suffer alcohol related health problems than 16 to 24-year-olds.

During Alcohol Awareness Week, a series of road shows are taking place throughout the county to offer confidential advice on the potential dangers of alcohol and enable people to sign up to the pledge. All information provided will be treated highly confidentially.

There will also be an opportunity for people to have their cholesterol and blood pressure checked both of which are important indicators of possible risk in relation to key alcohol related conditions such as hypertension.

The nearest roadshow to Swindon will be outside the Bear Hotel, in Devizes, on Thursday.