CHRISTMAS revellers are being warned of the dangers of drinking too much.

Paramedics and staff at Hereford and Worcester Ambulance Service NHS Trust say they see the problems caused by alcohol and hope people will think about the consequences before they overindulge.

Frances Martin, of the ambulance service, said one in 10 of all of the collisions in the area that result in death or serious injury were due to drinking and driving.

She said: "We will be there for you if you are involved in an accident over Christmas, but we are sure you would rather not be in this situation in the first place. Please think about your travel arrangements in advance and don't drink and drive."

The ambulance service also gets a lot of calls to people who are just too drunk to make their own way home.

Control manager Andy Timms said this abuse of the ambulance Service was very frustrating.

"If we are acting as a taxi service to drunks, we may struggle to reach a patient with a real emergency, such as a heart attack. Think about how you would feel if that was your loved one."

Staff can also be on the receiving end of violence from drunken patients or their friends.

A woman who had had too

much to drink hit ambulance technician Ken Edwards in the face with her handbag when he attended a call to her friend outside a Worcester nightclub.

Mr Timms said: "It sounds quite funny, but in fact the joke was on her, as she was charged and fined £100 for assaulting me.

"The Trust has a policy of supporting its staff by taking action against anyone who assaults or abuses its staff while we are trying to do our job."

He added: "We want everyone to be safe this Christmas. We know from experience that excessive alcohol consumption can have a serious impact on lives. Help us to help you by drinking safely and sensibly, so we can all have a very happy and healthy Christmas."