ALCESTER drinkers celebrating with too much Christmas spirit could find themselves paying the price.

And it won't be just hangovers revellers could be nursing after police warned of a crackdown on binge drinking over the festive season.

On-the-spot fines could cost drunken revellers between £50 and £80 as police announced their get-tough policy.

High visibility patrols will be in town centres and the police will also be linking their activities with trading standards officers to target sales of alcohol to under-age youngsters in off licences.

Chief superintendent David Whitehouse, of Warwickshire Police, said officers would be taking a "pro-active approach".

He said: "They will be visiting bars and clubs where special promotions encourage binge drinking and where there have been previous issues with under-age drinking, drug misuse or trouble.

"They don't want to be reacting to disorder when it flares but will be working with licensees and taking action to ensure early signs of trouble don't escalate into incidents.

"Licensees play a vital role in the success of policing operations to reduce town centre violence and nuisance. Managers have a responsibility to promote sensible drinking."

Drivers have also been warned they will be breathalised if police suspect they have been drinking.

In addition anyone involved in an accident or seen committing an offence, such as having a faulty light will have a breath test taken.

Sgt Mark Stevenson said: "For the ninth year running our anti-drink-drive operation will be supported by the special constabulary who will be mounting a high visibility roadside safety campaign."