A MELKSHAM pub landlord has backed guidelines issued by a Wiltshire drugs advice service warning festive clubbers to watch their drinks, as concerns over drug rapes rise nationwide.

Tranquillisers, sedatives, ecstasy and cocaine have been used to spike drinks with revellers being warned to make sure they enjoy their New Year in safety.

Sleep disorder drug Rohypnol, a legitimate tranquilliser used in several date rape incidents, leaves the victim helpless with little to no memory of the incident. This makes police investigations difficult, as the victim often has no idea who their attacker was.

The government is now planning to outlaw GHB (gamma hydroxybutyric acid), because of fears it is being increasingly used by rapists to disable victims.

Nicknamed liquid ecstasy, the colourless, odourless substance could be made a Class C drug by next summer.

Police say any incidents of rape are horrific but warned festive revellers to beware by taking heed of simple guidelines.

Vicky Morris, director of Bath Advisory Drug and Alcohol Service (BADAS), which covers Wiltshire, said drug-rapes by strangers left victims shattered.

She said: "You really can't tell if someone has put something in your drink. There will not be any funny taste or smell, but it can leave you without any memory of the evening.

"Special tranquillisers are used in the drug-rapes but people can have their drinks spiked for some other reason than sexual assault.

"These people feel confused and very frightened. LSD, ecstasy and other stimulants have all been used.

"I have worked with people affected by stimulants and it has been a hard thing to come to terms with.

"It is a very difficult thing as in a club or pub on New Year's Eve it is about having a good time and people are there to enjoy themselves, not worry about the threat of having their drinks spiked."

Police say no incidents of date-rape have occurred in west Wiltshire over the past few years but spiking incidents have been reported.

Police spokesman Andy Fortune said: "We don't want to make people paranoid but people should be mindful that these things happen and they should just be careful.

"All rapes are devastating but these are more so as the victims often can't remember what has happened to them."

Pub landlords and club owners have backed guidelines issued by the Wiltshire-based drugs service and believe all festive partygoers should keep them in mind.

John Stewart, manager of The Tavern in Melksham said: "We don't really have many of these sort of incidents but we would warn all people to watch out.

"People shouldn't ruin their evening by worrying but it is something to think about.

"I back the guidelines and hope people take notice of them."

Guidelines

Never leave drinks unattended leave them with friends.

Never accept drinks from strangers.

If you think your drink has been spiked, try to tell a friend or someone behind the bar.

Early feelings from drinking a spiked drink may include dizziness, cloudy eyes, light-headedness, nausea and increased sensitivity to sound or light.

If you spot someone pouring something into a drink tell the management or police straight away.