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Image: Comparativist1
UK News

Street Angels prepare for booze-fuelled 'Mad Friday'

The final Friday before Christmas is the most popular night for office parties and other festive celebrations, with sales of alcohol expected to rise by 144%.

Last year, more booze was sold in pubs, bars and restaurants on 'Mad Friday' than on New Year's Eve.

Police and ambulance bosses have urged party-goers to drink responsibly, as many services are already stretched at this time of year.

It comes as health experts have also launched a campaign today to encourage people to take a break from alcohol for 'Dry January'.

Paul Blakeley MBE is the founder of 'Street Angels' who provide voluntary help and advice to people on nights out.

Tonight they'll have teams at roughly 130 different towns and cities across the UK.

He tells Premier they see "all sorts" when they're out among the night time economy and admits that drinking alcohol is embedded "in our psyche";

"There's something about the British culture that says 'drink and drink and drink and drink' and our role is just to encourage people to drink responsibly, I think that's the big underlying message.

"Once you've had a few drinks your whole perception of what's safe and what's not safe changes.

He has this advice for anyone planning on going out who wants to have a fun, safe Friday night:

"Don't drink on an empty stomach; Know how you're going to get home at the end of the evening;

"Make sure that if you go out with a group of friends you keep an eye on all your friends so you know where they all are;

"And think about mixing your alcohol with water or soft drinks, so that you're not drinking quite so much."

Listen to the full interview with Paul Blakely MBE and Premier's Holly Powell-Jones.

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