REVELLERS enjoying a night-out in Sale are being given free drug testing kits to prevent their drinks being spiked' over the festive period.

Advisers from Trafford's drug treatment service provider, Access 2, have teamed up with Sale neighbourhood police to give out the handy credit card size drink guard' kits.

The spike detectors, that are being distributed thanks to funding from the South Trafford Safer Group, can be used to detect dangerous date rape drugs like GHB and ketamine - enabling somebody who thinks their drink has been spiked to put a couple of sample drops onto a testing card.

As part of the initiative brightly coloured alcotops' have also been handed out - that can be put on top of a bottle to stop somebody tampering with your drink.

Greg Yates, manager of Sale's Waterside, said: "The work the police and partners have put into raising the awareness of Drug and Alcohol misuse is very noticeable in Sale. We welcome visits from both Access2, Greater Manchester Police and the drugs dog that recently visited our premises.

"The campaigns that are rolled out are appreciated by both my staff and customers, you can certainly see a difference in Sale from that of 2 years ago."

A spokeswoman for Bolton, Salford and Trafford Mental Health NHS Trust said: "This is a really welcome initiative and we are pleased that our substance misuse service in Trafford is working alongside the police to raise awareness of the dangers of drugs and drink spiking - especially at this time of year."

Area Insp Brendan O'Brien added: "This initiative is part of a much bigger reassurance operation that we are continuously running with the night time economy in Sale. The overall point of this is to reduce crime and ensure people feel safe when they go out in Sale town centre.

"The date rape prevention kits have been well received and it's something that we will continue to do next year. In addition over the Christmas period we also have the taxi marshall service and will have high profile policing patrols throughout Christmas and the New Year."

For further information on the drink guard' kits or drug problem related advice phone Access 2 on their free confidential helpline 0800 056 3030