EXTRA police will be on duty across north Durham on New Year's Eve to curb the problems caused by binge drinking.

Durham Constabulary says extra officers will be drafted in at Durham City, Chester-le-Street, Easington and Derwentside, and will be paying unscheduled visits to some of the 2,100 licensed premises which will be opening their doors to revellers.

The force says its resources were stretched over Christmas but, while there were a number of arrests across the north of the county, particularly on December 23 and Christmas Eve, the figures were not markedly higher than in previous years.

However, the licensees of two bars were advised about their behaviour by officers concerned about promotions they regarded as likely to encourage binge drinking - a Durham City pub was offering shooters at £1 each and a Chester-le-Street nightclub offering beer at 90p a pint.

While police say most licensees are acting responsibly, they are warning landlords that officers will be out in force tomorrow night.

North Durham licensing officer Sergeant Tim Robson said: "Our advice to licensees is the same as for any other time of the year. We are asking them not to serve anyone who is clearly drunk, under 18 or behaving in a rowdy fashion.

"Our patrolling officers will be calling in to check on the behaviour of customers and to ensure premises are not dangerously overcrowded."

Beat officers described the centre of Durham City in particular as "heaving" on the two nights before Christmas, but said that most people were "boisterous but generally well-behaved".

Officers urged revellers to drink in moderation.

Sgt Robson said: "If you are going out on New Year's Eve, please make sure your transport there and back is arranged beforehand. Have a good time, but know your own drinking limits and stick to them - you can drink sensibly and still have fun."