PARTY-goers are being warned to drink responsibly on 'Mad Friday'.

Today, the Friday before Christmas, is known as Mad Friday by emergency services due to the increase in calls they receive as people get into the festive spirit and the party season gets under way.

Last year, the North West Ambulance Service attended 14 per cent more incidents compared to the same day the previous year – a figure which is set to rise again this evening, with many of the incidents being alcohol related.

Derek Cartwright, director of operations for the ambulance service, said: “In genuine life-threatening emergencies, time matters. If people stop and think about drink this Christmas and take a sensible approach, they can play their part in ensuring ambulance crews are free to attend to vulnerable and very poorly people.”

“It is also important to remember hangovers, headaches and feeling under the weather after a night out can generally be treated in your own home using medicine from your local pharmacist and getting plenty of rest.”

For health advice and urgent but not life-threatening issues call 111.