EMPLOYERS who let members of their workforce drive home drunk from a Christmas party will be responsible for their actions, according to guidelines issued to Halton businesses by Acas.

Acas says employees who are 'clearly drunk' at the office Christmas party and plan to drive home could land their boss in hot water.

A spokesman said: 'As an employer, you have a duty of care toward your employees and, as it's the company's party, you need to take some responsibility.

'Think about travel arrangements and maybe end the party before public transport stops running.

'Or provide the phone numbers for local cab companies and encourage employees to use them. Hiring minibuses to take staff home is another option which would probably be greatly appreciated.'

Hundreds of Christmas parties are already under way across Widnes and Runcorn.

Acas chairman Rita Donaghy says companies should have procedures in place to deal with any difficulties that may crop up.

She said: 'If companies have policies and procedures in place which cover the key issues like discipline and grievance, bullying and harassment, discrimination and absence, they are in a much better position to handle these sorts of issues which can happen at any time, not just at Christmas.'

The most common problem Acas has to deal with is employees drinking too much at office parties and then planning to drive home, which puts not only the motorist at risk, but potentially other road users as well.

And although Cheshire Constabulary has already launched its Christmas crackdown campaign in the borough, Acas predicts that some employees will continue running the risk of flouting the law.