FESTIVE revellers are being urged not to binge drink before heading out to pubs and clubs.

The plea was made at the launch of Glasgow's festive safety campaign which will see an extra £10,500 spent to improve safety in the city centre.

Ten extra community enforcement officers will be out on foot patrol at weekends throughout December in areas not covered by CCTV, and two mobile CCTV vans will be on the streets.

Nite Zones at Sauchiehall Street, Gordon Street, Albion Street and Byres Road will get additional support from police officers and a new Nite Zone will be set up in Shawlands. Glasgow Taxi Association will have a radio network linked taxi marshal to ensure cab drivers get to ranks quickly.

Licensing Board chairman Bill Butler said: "It is of utmost importance to us that people not only enjoy themselves on a night out in Glasgow but crucially, that they do so safely.

"During the Christmas period, people often begin drinking alcohol earlier in the day at office parties, Christmas lunches or as a precursor to their Christmas night celebration."

Phil Walker, managing director of Community Safety Glasgow, said: "The Christmas and New Year period is well-known as a time when many people over-indulge in alcohol.

"This is especially dangerous if they choose to 'pre-load' as the effects of the amount of alcohol they consume before they go out can sometimes be delayed and hit suddenly when they are out consuming more alcohol."

vivienne.nicoll@ eveningtimes.co.uk