The Bath area's top doctor has urged people not to drink themselves to "oblivion" this Christmas.
Director of public health for Bath and north east Somerset Dr Bruce Laurence spent Friday night out with the city's night marshals – who are in the frontline of work to keep revellers safe.
The marshals, who help people who have drunk too much during a night out, are funded by Bath Business Improvement District and B&NES Council.
They patrol the Orange Grove taxi rank, provide medical assistance and make sure drunken behaviour does not get out of hand, helping around 2,000 people in a typical week, and saving police more than 500 call-outs since August last year.
Dr Laurence said he was particularly impressed by the way in which the marshals worked with the Street Pastors, the police, the ambulance service, door staff and CCTV controllers.
"By coordinating all their efforts, these folk keep our nightlife well-managed in a friendly and discrete way, so that punters can enjoy themselves safely in our wonderful city."
He added, without the marshals many drunk people could have got themselves into serious trouble.
"Of course we know that drinking is often part of a good night out, but please stop short of oblivion, and ensure that you have a plan for getting home safely."
BID manager Andrew Cooper said: "It is really important that a night out in Bath offers a good experience. People want to return and enjoy the city again and again, which is why we have invested in assisting those businesses that rely on the night-time economy."
