Many people are unaware of the calorie content of alcohol, according to a survey. Four in 10 did not know a glass of wine has the same calories as a slice of cake.

The poll of 2,000 adults in England was carried out as part of a government drive to curb people's drinking habits. The campaign also stresses that a heavy drinking session is often followed by an unhealthy breakfast.

A regular beer drinker who drinks five pints a week will, over the course of a year, ingest the same number of calories as someone eating 221 doughnuts. The average wine drinker consumes 2,000 extra calories each month -- over the course of a year, that is the equivalent of eating an extra 38 roast beef dinners.