A HEARTBROKEN mother today made a desperate plea to revellers not to push their festive celebrations too far, as she faced her first Christmas without her beloved son.

Tonight sees the Yuletide party season starting in earnest, as well as family gatherings.

But Sue Walker is facing the festive season without her son, Danny Adams, after his shock death on a York street back in April.

His inquest heard how the young man had died after drinking too much.

Sue today appealed to others to stay away from excess booze over Christmas and New Year.

"I know Christmas is a time to be merry and get absolutely drunk," said Sue, from Cornlands Road, Acomb, York.

"Please don't go over the top. Try to set limits for yourself. I wouldn't like this to happen to other people.

"Danny had gone out to a party and had a really good time.

"Part of me feels it must have been Danny's time - but the drink contributed to that."

Danny, 22, died in St Stephens' Road, in Acomb, after a night out at a birthday party with friends.

His inquest revealed that while hypothermia could have played a part in his death, the cause was "acute alcohol intoxication".

Afterwards, Sue backed a police appeal to stamp out binge drinking.

This year she was due to spend Christmas with her other children Teri, 15, and Nathan, 13, with a visit planned from her other son Tony, 22.

A committed Christian, Sue said she thought some of the meaning behind Christmas had become lost in today's world.

She said: "Most people nowadays just get so stressed what with spending money, especially with young ones who expect the best.

"It's supposed to be a happy time where families get together and rejoice that Jesus was born.

"I'm doing my best to keep everything as it would be. I've put the Christmas tree in the back living room and things are going to be as usual as possible."

But she added: "It's going to be really very, very strange. Every Christmas he would come home.

"The only thing that will be missing is Danny. But he's still with us in spirit."

Facing the New Year, however, will be "the hardest thing to get through" for Sue.

She said: "Christmas is about celebrating, but looking into the New Year without Danny will be harder."

Tony Lidgate, North Yorkshire Police spokesman, said: "What we say to everyone who is celebrating outside their homes whether at a party, pub or a club is be sure you have got a good way to get home.

"That can be walking with friends, a taxi or public transport. The key thing is to know how you are getting home and you should plan that before you go out.

"Then you know that a lot of potential accidents and disasters have been avoided.

"People should plan and organise their nights out, and think safe and act safe."

Updated: 10:35 Thursday, December 22, 2005