Within the Asian community it is a commonly held view that alcohol consumption is more prevalent in certain cultures rather than others.

For instance it is a widely thought that amongst Sikhs drinking alcohol is accepted far more than amongst Muslims and Hindu's.

Amongst Muslims in particular drinking alcohol is explicitly forbidden. And for this very reason some have become accustomed to hiding and drinking in secret.

Asian Image spoke to some local secret drinkers' to find out exactly how and why they choose to live two lives. Names and identities have been changed.

Asad is 33 and goes to great lengths to hide his drinking from family and friends. "It is totally frowned upon in the Muslim community.

"That is not to say our elders didn't drink. Some of them did but if someone finds out you drink it can bring great shame upon you.

"My wife doesn't know I drink. When we go out I always stay over at a friends place so there is never any comeback."

Asad said his wife became suspicious of his actions but he lied about what he was doing.

"I came home once and I had been drinking. Normally she is asleep but this time she was awake. I went straight to the bathroom and pretended to be ill.

"She asked me if I was okay and I just ignored her."

"I made sure I didn't come home drunk again."

"Although I feel a little ashamed it is not as if I do it on a regular basis. I just like to let my hair down and have a good time every now and then."

For some British Asians the whole culture conflicts with how they have been brought up.

Mehboob started drinking regularly whilst at University. "When it comes to alcohol my culture and relgion is in complete contrast to the way I was brought up."

"I have white friends who think it is quite strange I have to hide my drinking from people.

"It is not that I am ashamed or embarrassed but I just don't want people saying to my mum that her son drinks.

"I go to places where there are going to be few Asians. Once I was with my friends and a taxi-driver who knew my dad walked in.

"Thankfully, he didn't say anything to anyone."

A recent report stated generally more people suffer alcohol-related deaths in the North West than anywhere else in England.

The study by the Association of Public Health Observatories claims the region has the greatest problems because of its areas of high deprivation.

The study also found that 22% of men and 10% of women in the North West now binge drink.

Jay is 21 years old and drinks regulary. "We usually have to find a friends car. Sometimes we go out to a couple of clubs.

"We go to the odd pub but when people see a group of Asian lads walk in people start giving you strange looks."

"So most of the time we stick to my friends pad. I don't see why people make such a big deal about it."

For women however drinking in public is totally off-limits. Faz is 23 years-old and started drinking when she was 18. "I have a close group of friends who I trust explicitly. It's not as if we go drinking all the time but every now and then I don't see anything wrong with it."

"I used to drink more when I was at Uni because I was living away from home but when you move back home it is more difficult especially for a girl."

"If my parents ever found out I would be in so much trouble."

Meanwhile, for some the idea of hiding something such as drinking requires too much effort.

Zeg, 29 began drinking in his teens and feels there is no point in hiding at all. "I don't really care who finds out. So what if I drink? I know it's haram but what is it to anyone.

"I hate the people who come to me and say I should not drink and then they will go and do things that are also haram.

"I used to go to places where there were no Asians but after a while I just gave up. It became too much of a problem."

"I got stopped once coming out of a pub by someone who knew me. I told him where to go. So what if I am not a good Muslim? That's between me and god."