POLICE are launching a campaign to clamp down on drink-fuelled violence in two East Cleveland towns during the run-up to Christmas.

Redcar and Cleveland Council has supplied extra CCTV cameras to cover Guisborough and Redcar town centres which can be used for gathering evidence against those causing problems.

Cleveland police have also launched a poster campaign showing a man lying in a hospital bed and another in a prison cell under the heading: "There were no winners in this fight."

Insp Dave Mead said: "The additional CCTV cameras and targeted patrols will ensure those coming here to cause trouble will be arrested."

Insp Mead added that Cleveland police had also been working closely with licensees and door staff and one of the ideas that was being adopted was handing out lollipops to drinkers as they left pubs.

"The idea is to initiate a feelgood factor in an effort to keep spirits high and tempers low," he said.