CHRISTMAS shoppers and revellers in Burnley will get important safety messages in Burnley town centre on Friday.

Representatives from the borough council and Lancashire Police will be there between 2pm and 6pm.

The event will be aimed at those preparing for nights out over the festive season, and highlight particularly the dangers of drink-driving.

The event will include a display involving the wreckage of the car which local teenager Matthew Alston was driving when he was killed near Read in August 2010 and is now used by the Wasted Lives charity to highlight the dangers of driving while under the influence.

The message will be given out that if you plan to drink alcohol, either organise a designated driver or use a taxi, making sure you are using a properly licensed black cab or private hire vehicle.

Council community boss Tony Harrison said: “We’re not trying to spoil the festive spirit but we are giving commonsense messages.”