One in five people in England admit to fitness training to "make up" for a heavy drinking session, according to a recent survey.

The Department of Health found that among those who drink more than double the recommended weekly alcohol limits - three to four units a day for men and two to three for women - more than a quarter (28 per cent) admitted doing so to compensate for their drinking.

However, the Institute of Alcohol Studies has warned that exercise cannot undo the health problems associated with heavy drinking.

Andrew McNeill from the institute, said that while exercise is good in general, it does not have a curative role in regards to alcohol.

"The only way in which vigorous exercise could help is if you did that instead of going to the pub," he said.

Excess alcohol can also be bad news for weight loss and can even reduce the effectiveness of your fitness plan according to the NHS, which states that alcoholic drinks contain more calories than many people realise.

In addition, the NHS adds that alcohol can reduce the effectiveness of a person's workout.