REVELLERS have been urged to "keep a clear head" around the railway network in the run up to Christmas.

British Transport Police said there were 7,419 recorded alcohol-related incidents on and around the railway in 2016/7 - an increase of 17 per cent on the previous year - with 16 per cent of those incidents taking place over the festive period.

As 'mad Friday' approaches we are warning revellers to “keep a clear head” around the rail network over the festive season

Their Keep a Clear Head campaign will see extra patrols at railway stations around the country, in an effort to crack down on antisocial, drunken behaviour and public order offences.

Superintendent Eddie Wylie said: "Our officers will be out on the network in the North of England helping people to enjoy the festivities safely and encouraging them to think about how alcohol can affect the way they behave and the effect this has on their fellow passengers.

"If you’re using the railway to get around this Christmas, please keep a clear head. Think about what you would do and how you would behave if you were sober. There is no excuse for spoiling other people’s journeys or behaving any differently because you’ve drunk alcohol. We want you to have fun but it’s more important to get where you’re going safely."

The campaign also urges rail users to behave more carefully around the platform edge and railway crossings, and not to walk on the railway tracks.

A spokesman said 21 people were killed due to alcohol-related incidents at the platform edge and 91 more were seriously injured in the last 10 years, while passengers boarding and alighting trains were involved in 469 alcohol-related accidents in the last five years.

Alcohol awareness events will be held at stations in York and Leeds in the run-up to Christmas, and at pubs and clubs close to stations and level crossings.