REVELLERS in Darlington are being warned by police to drink sensibly this Christmas.

There will be a third more police officers out and about in the town on Christmas Eve and throughout the holiday period.

The police will be undertaking high visibility patrols, visiting pubs and off-licences - to try and ensure revellers and landlords enjoy a trouble-free festive season.

They will also be offering their help to businesses which may feel the effects of party season and have warned drinkers they can and will eject people from pubs if they cause trouble.

On ordinary evenings in the town the police operate one crew bus, this will be doubled on key nights such as Christmas Eve.

Acting Inspector Tony McDougall, said: "We will be visiting as many licensed premises as we can and just letting people know that we are there."

On Saturday The Northern Echo reported how police throughout the region had launched a crackdown on binge-drinkers and anti-social behaviour.

Officers have the power to issue on-the-spot fines for buying or selling alcohol to people under the age of 18, and the penalty for being drunk and disorderly has increased from £50 to £80.

Over the next three weeks officers will be targeting known hotspots.