New Year's Eve party-goers are being reminded of the dangers of going overboard with the booze as millions get ready to celebrate.

Campaigners say too many people ignore the health threats posed by binge drinking and want tougher measures to combat it.

Professor Ian Gilmore, President of the Royal College of Physicians, thinks putting up prices is one way forward.

His suggestion comes as beer, wine and spirits have been flying off supermarket shelves in the run up to New Year's Eve.

According to sales figures, Bristolians have been stocking up in force for the biggest party night of the year with rum outselling all other spirits in the city.

Tesco regional sales figures also show demand for champagne in the city has risen 22 per cent compared with last New Year's Eve, while sales of beer have soared by 17 per cent and wine has increased by 15 per cent.

The supermarket's sales map has thrown up some surprises though with Glaswegians buying more bottles of Malibu than anywhere else, Cheltenham creating the biggest demand for whisky and tequila proving most popular in Bournemouth.

Elsewhere, Birmingham is where the highest champagne and fine wine sales can be found and vodka is the top selling spirit in Cardiff.

Other regional figures for the last two weeks reveal the most Guinness has been bought in Liverpool, Leicester's favourite tipple is cider and absinthe is a best seller in Brighton.

Lager leads the way in Watford, top brandy buyers are in Newcastle, the UK's real ale capital is Leeds, Belfast's favourite party tipple is gin and Edinburgh's top drink is Drambuie

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