NIGHTCLUB and pub customers have been warned by police to take extra care that their drinks aren't spiked with 'date rape' drugs like Rohypnol or GHB.

Wiltshire police are working with pub and club staff to raise awareness of the dangers of leaving a drink unattended.

Posters and cards have already been distributed to licensed premises across Wiltshire, and drink guards given out to bar staff.

About the size of a bookmark, the drink guards are attached to unattended drinks by bar staff to show just how quick and easy it can be to slip drugs into an unwatched drink.

Head of community safety Superintendent Kevin Maidment said: "We are trying to raise awareness among drinkers.

"We are working closely with pub and club owners to try and ensure that while people have a good time, they also stay safe."

Drug rape is one of the fastest growing crimes in the UK, with more than 1,000 cases reported last year, and the police fear that this is just the tip of the iceberg.

The problem was given a raised profile after Coronation Street showed the devious Tracey Barlow drug Roy Cropper.

Spt Maidment said: "This highlights the problem, and also shows that it is not always men preying on women sometimes it is the other way round and we have had cases of same sex drug rape. Everyone is vulnerable and it pays to take extra care."

Drugs like Rohypnol, GHB, Temazepam and Valium have all been used to spike drinks, they are colourless, odourless and tasteless and effects can include dizziness, nausea, a feeling of being drunk very quickly, memory loss and loss of consciousness.

Spt Maidment said: "It is a difficult topic because obviously alcohol affects different people in different ways, and factors like not eating before a night out, being tired or drinking different drinks also play a part.

"The advice we are giving to people is to know your limits with booze, and if you feel very drunk or very ill, get a friend you trust to see you home and if possible to stay with you until the effects have worn off, or ask the bar staff or doormen to get you home.

"If you wake up the next morning feeling that your drink is spiked, contact the police."

Richard Allen, landlord of the Town Local, Wootton Bassett, said: "This is an extremely important campaign.

"We have got the posters and cards up everywhere, and my staff will be slipping drink hangers into unattended drinks to show just how easy it is to spike a drink."