CASUALTY units at local hospitals seem to have taken the run-up to Christmas in their stride.

With security measures already in place, staff have been able to manage the seasonal festivities and traditional increase in drink and drug-related incidents.

But A&E departments are still bracing themselves as the new year celebrations get under way.

At Darlington Memorial Hospital, spokesman Martin Hutchinson said: "We have security here as a matter of course every Friday and Saturday night. We have to deal with drink-related incidents every weekend where staff are treated in a threatening manner.

"We don't tolerate such behaviour but will treat any patient with care and consideration."

No special plans were put in place at the Memorial for the Christmas holiday itself.

"In our experience, the two weeks before Christmas are the worst, when people are going to office parties and such," said Mr Hutchinson.

"Over Christmas itself, we expect people to be with their families."

It was a similar picture at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton and the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.

A spokesman for South Tees NHS Trust said the Friarage A&E had not seen an increase in drink-related incidents over the festive season.

"We had the usual number of incidents, but no more than we get over the course of a normal week," she said.

"However, we could see this number go up over the new year period."

The number of incidents of aggressive behaviour towards staff had fallen.

In 2002-03 there were 16 incidents at the two hospitals, and five in 2003-04.

"We have measures in place to manage such incidents and staff are trained to deal with situations as and when they arise," said a spokesman for James Cook University Hospital.

The local scene was different from that described elsewhere.

A nurse in a busy casualty unit in Manchester said: "It's like a war zone down here and the nearer we get to Christmas, the worse it gets."

"Most people can look forward to Christmas and the new year, but for NHS staff it is anything but peace on earth," said Dave Prentis, head of Unison.

"Binge-drinking, drugs, work and family tensions all take their toll and it is hospital staff and paramedics who face the blows and the abuse.

"We need managers to act before staff get hurt, rather than dealing with it later.