A CIVIC official has launched an awareness campaign highlighting the dangers of drinks being spiked - even in smaller communities.

The Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Stuart Martin, has link-ed up with North Yorkshire Police and Harrogate District Alcohol and Drugs Agency to spread the message that Ripon is not a spike-free zone.

Coun Martin said: "We are seen as a small market city where people believe we are away from this sort of thing. But that could not be further from the truth.

"Recent cases of people's drinks being spiked mean it is our problem too, and I want to make as many people as possble aware of this menace."

Coun Martin said that while the problem increased in the run-up to Christmas and New Year it was an all-year round issue.

The director of the Harrogate District Alcohol and Drugs Agency, Andrew Harrison, said this time of year was ideal to launch the campaign.

Mr Harrison, who met the mayor to help his drive to spread the message, said spiked drinks was not just a date rape issue. People whose drinks have been spiked were often targeted for theft, as well as sexual assault, he said.

He said there was always a danger that someone could be killed.

Some nightclubs have introduced corked bottles with a small hole in the top to curb drinks being tampered with, but it is thought drugs in the form of liquids are now being used to beat safety measures.

Mr Harrison said people were often sceptical when revellers complained their drinks had been spiked, thinking instead that they had simply overindulged.

He said spiked drinks had become a serious issue and places such as Ripon were not immune from the menace.

"It doesn't just happen in the big cities like Leeds. It's now on people's doorsteps even if they live in a much smaller community," said Mr Harrison.

Drinkers are being urged to appoint a "drinks caretaker" to watch over drinks while friends are dancing or leaving alcohol unattended.

Mr Harrison suggested the caretaker could be a nominated driver for the evening who did not drink.