A new campaign is urging people to think about how and who they want to spend their Christmas with.

The Safer Cornwall partnership festive safe drinking campaign asks people out enjoying festivities over the coming weeks to drink sensibly while enjoying Cornwall and Christmas, not to risk spending time somewhere they would rather not be – whether in a police cell or a hospital.

Liskeard councillor Sally Hawken, Cornwall Council cabinet member for well-being and public health, said: ‘People should rightly be able to have fun, but we also want people to be safe. This campaign reminds people to drink sensibly, and to plan how they’ll get home safely.’

Jez Bayes, alcohol strategy lead for Cornwall Council’s drug and alcohol action team, offered top tips:

Alternate alcoholic drinks with soft drinks or water.

It’s safest to stick drinks you’re familiar with, so that you know how you will react.

Keep an eye on your drink when out, and don’t get to the point where you wouldn’t notice if someone spiked you.

Plan how you will get home – book a taxi in advance, organise a lift, or have a designated driver in your group.

Don’t attempt to reason with people who have drunk too much.

Say thanks to anyone out there to keep you safe: door staff, street pastors, police, paramedics or firefighters.