HEALTH bosses in Sandwell are encouraging people to take care with how much they drink ahead of ‘Booze Black Friday’.

The last Friday before Christmas is the most popular night for office and factory Christmas parties, making it one of the busiest nights in the year for ambulances and the police services.

Sales for alcohol massively increase on ‘Booze Black Friday’ in comparison with Fridays at other times of the year, with supermarkets and bars and restaurants seeing a massive increase in the amount of alcohol being consumed.

Councillor Elaine Costigan, Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for public health and protection, said: “Over the festive period a lot of us like to have a drink or two. However, it is important that people are aware of the short and long-term health risks of drinking alcohol.

“There is lots of great advice and support available locally on how to cut down or remain booze-free.”

Experts claim that regularly drinking more than 14 units a week – equivalent to six pints of average-strength beer or seven 175ml glasses of average-strength wine – risks damaging your health.

For advice and information on how to control drinking, visit www.healthysandwell.co.uk/our-services/lets-talk-alcohol/festive-drinking-advice.