HEALTH chiefs have launched a poster campaign highlighting the dangers of binge drinking.

The Drinkheads campaign will be displayed at bus stops, phone booths and high streets across Dorset throughout Christmas.

It has been commissioned by Dorset Community Safety Partnership and NHS Dorset and underlines dangers associated with binge drinking sessions, including violence, domestic abuse, accidental fires and health problems.

Community safety partnership chairman Cllr Ray Nottage said: “Christmas is about being merry but unfortunately it is easy to take it too far.

“The aim of Drinkheads is not to stop people enjoying themselves, but to demonstrate through powerful images how drinking to excess can turn enjoyment into danger.”

NHS Dorset health programme adviser Emma Wilson added: “The majority of people enjoy a drink over the Christmas break without any problems. However, for some people it can often be easy for things to get out of hand.

“We hope this campaign encourages local people to stop and think about their drinking before they find themselves in a situation that they wouldn’t normally be in and have to deal with the consequences.”

The Dorset Community Safety Partnership is comprised of all local authorities in the Dorset County area, the NHS, police, fire service and probation service.

County health workers say the award-winning campaign has already proved a success in other areas, including West Yorkshire.