An alcohol safety charity has offered advice to revellers during the world cup.

Chris Sorek, chief executive of alcohol awareness charity Drinkaware, said fans should plan their celebrations in advance.

"Getting behind sports events like the World Cup is a great way to show support for your country, but regularly exceeding your daily unit guidelines and compromising your personal safety or making yourself vulnerable to anti-social behaviour aren’t the best way to show your patriotism," he said.

"We need to tackle the misconception that you must get drunk to have fun and are offering people practical tips to help them have a good time.

"It’s excellent advice to make plans to get home safely, keep tabs on your drinking and watch out for your mates.

"Eating before you start to drink, pacing yourself and opting out of rounds are also great ways to help you last until the final whistle.

"There’re also plenty of ways to enjoy the World Cup that don’t involve alcohol, including Drinkaware’s Hoof It! campaign, where we encourage fans to drink less and play more by giving them the chance to win footballs at www.drinkaware.co.uk/hoofit.

"Every year alcohol misuse costs society £25.1 billion so it’s essential, now more than ever, that consumers know how drinking can not only affect their health and personal safety but also society as a whole.

"Although we won’t change Britain’s drinking culture overnight, by helping people make informed decisions about their drinking, we can start to change their relationship with alcohol."

For more information visit www.drinkaware.co.uk