NEAS urging people to drink sensibly on 'Black Eye Friday'
North East Ambulance Service are urging people to drink sensibly on the last Friday before Christmas - known as 'Black Eye Friday'.
They are warning partygoers to be careful when heading out as they see an increase in alcohol related calls this time of year.
Stu Holliday, head of resilience for the service in the region, says it is important to plan ahead.
He said: "Always go out with friends, look after each other. Always have a plan about how you're going to get home. Always have a charged mobile phone.
"Dress to the weather. I know we don't like to often in the North East, but have a mind to what the weather is going to be doing.
He continued to say: "People who have got underlining medical conditions often struggle at this time of year because of the cold and catching flu.
"So what we really would like to do is concentrate all our resources on the people who are really needed and need that quick timely response from us."