PUBLIC health officials are urging festive revellers in Oxfordshire to know their limits as the countdown to Christmas gets under way.

Oxfordshire County Council has launched a campaign to make sure drinkers know their limits this winter.

Using video, social media and events, public health experts want to encourage people to be aware of the facts about alcohol so they can enjoy the party season as safely as possible.

The video – embedded below – tells the story of Louisa, who is visited by the ghost of drunken Christmas parties past. It shows the differences between a succession of Christmas parties as she remembers them and then as they actually happened.

County councillor Hilary Hibbert-Biles, cabinet member for public health, said: “December can be a busy month with Christmas parties, drinks and meals every weekend.

“Sometimes it can carry on throughout the week as well.

  • Watch the video

“It’s very easy to find your diary full of occasions where the drink will be flowing, which means keeping within the guideline number of units can be difficult.”

The Government’s daily unit guidelines for alcohol are different for men and women.

Mrs Hibbert-Biles said: “Men should not regularly exceed three to four units a day, which is equivalent of a pint and a half of beer.

“For women it is a two to three units, which is equivalent to one pint of beer.

Heavy drinking increases the risk of developing alcohol-related problems or long-term health conditions.

The county council says that while there’s no absolute safe level of drinking, staying within the guidelines can make a difference to your health.

Mrs Hibbert-Biles said: “Everyone wants to have a good time enjoying all the Christmas season has to offer and we aren’t in the business of telling people they can’t have fun.

“There are lots of ways to keep the alcohol in check and plenty of places to find out all the facts about drink so that you can enjoy yourself without putting yourself at risk.”

An event will be held at County Hall with Alcohol Concern on Friday, December 13 between 10am and 2pm where people can get advice about drinking.

The county council will also be tweeting facts about alcohol from its official Twitter account @oxfordshireCC.

Last month Thames Valley Police launched its Christmas anti-drink- and drug-drive campaign which will run until the end of the month.