BOOZE was banned at an unusual students' Christmas party.

Organisers of the alcohol-free knees up at the University of Teesside, Middlesbrough, dispensed soft drinks with sober warnings about the hazards of having one too many.

The dry party rounded off a campus health education roadshow promoting alcohol awareness.

Paula Szucs-Jones, from the Department of Student Services, said: "The aim of the event was to promote sensible drinking and highlight the effects of drinking to excess and binge-drinking.

"Binge-drinking can cause serious health problems and with Christmas approaching there is more opportunity to indulge."

Student health advisor Aline Marron said: "We hope that the people at the party will be more aware of the potential risks and will drink sensibly during the Christmas period."

She said she hoped the event demonstrated that non-alcoholic drinks were not always tasteless or boring.

The party was sponsored by Marks & Spencer, which provided non-alcoholic drinks and Christmas snacks.