A CAMPAIGN to curb the rise of binge drinking in Middlesbrough has been launched in time for the change in licensing laws and the build up to Christmas.

The initiative is the idea of a University of Teesside design and marketing student and it sends out a clear message - You Decided - Drink or Drunk.

Kirsty Price teamed up with the Safer Middlesbrough Partnership to create the advertising campaign to tie in with the relaxing of licensing laws.

The 21-year-old came up with the idea as part of her degree course and launched the initiative in Hush bar, in Albert Road.

Using posters and postcards to address the issues, the campaign will also incorporate a number of measures to tackle the town's drinking culture.

Others include attaching loudspeakers to CCTV cameras in the town centre to warn people intent on causing trouble, and supplying police with the same radios as pub door staff to help provide a quicker response.

Miss Price said: "The campaign focuses on reminding the public of the fact that they have choices when it comes to drinking and that they can only decide on how much is enough."

Graham Strange, of the Safer Middlesbrough Partnership, said: "People who go out every weekend just to get drunk don't listen when we tell them not to. This message is different. We are not telling people they can't drink or enjoy themselves. We are giving them the facts and saying' 'You Decide'."

Chief Inspector Andy McDyer, of Middlesbrough Police, said: "No one wants to stop people having a good time, however we will not tolerate the antics of a drunken minority causing problems in the town centre."