AS pubs and clubs prepare for another busy New Year's Eve, police are warning revellers to be on the guard against drink spiking.

Officers have warned people not to leave drinks unattended and not to accept drinks from strangers as part of a West Mercia Campaign called Operation Christmas Presence.

Although drink spiking is rare in Worcestershire and Herefordshire, people can be seriously hurt or killed as a result of someone tampering with their drink.

The scheme's coordinator Chief Inspector Paul Moxley said: "Drink spiking can be carried out using alcohol, prescription drugs or illegal drugs. It can be done maliciously to incapacitate someone so they become a victim of theft or sexual abuse.

"Often it is done as a joke among friends, who don't think about how disastrous the consequences could be. Classic cases include lacing a friend's drink with vodka or other spirits as a prank, which could end in tragedy if the victim then drives not realising they are over the limit.

"People have also become seriously ill because they are drinking more than they thought, or because they are on medication that reacts badly with alcohol."

Other advice includes not drinking anything that tastes or smells odd and anyone who thinks their drink has been spiked should ask a friend, the landlord or manager for help immediately.

Despite the warnings, reports of drink spiking in Worcestershire and Herefordshire are rare.