Thousands of revellers have woken up this morning with sore heads and queasy stomachs following the infamous Black Eye Friday.
Also known as Mad Friday, Frantic Friday or Black Friday, it is the name for the Friday before Christmas, which is the Friday after December 16.
It is a time when the city centres across the UK are full of people getting merry and crawling across bars and clubs.
However, some people get a little bit too merry and the police and ambulance service get involved due to flare-ups of violence or people drinking too much and needing medical attention.
According to the British Beer and Pub Association data, the UK was estimated to have downed 40 million pints last night with 25 million pints expected to be drunk today.
A girl in Nottingham wearing a policewoman’s helmet takes a selfie next to a police van and an officer
Revellers hit the town in Manchester for start of last weekend before Christmas
A police van parks across the street in Nottingham after a man was reportedly knocked out by a bouncer
Two Mancunian girls hit the town during the last weekend before Christmas
But pictures show revellers on the floor before 7pm, another showed someone slumped on the steps around 6.30pm.
Also, some people are shown in fancy dress stalking the streets while others devolved into fistfights.
Some pictures show someone being led away by police before 9pm with a bloody nose.
The London Ambulance Service told revellers to only make 999 calls it was a genuine emergency.
Two girls, one wearing a Christmas jacket, hit the town in Leeds
Leeds girls wear santa hats to get into the Christmas spirit as they hit the town centre
One girl looks worse for wear as her friend leads her by the hand as they trawl through Leeds
Two women wearing santa hats and no jackets hit the streets in chilly Leeds
Two girls speak to police officers in the town centre of Nottingham
A group of girls wearing santa and elf hats and actually wearing winter clothing hit the streets of Nottingham
Two girls in Nottingham brandish a peace sign as go out partying in Nottingham
Two girls are seen walking arm in arm down the street of Nottingham
Revellers wear Christmas jumpers in Nottingham on the last Friday before Christmas
Two people wearing blue santa hats are seen eating McDonald’s in Leeds
Friends wearing santa hats are seen posing in Newcastle ahead of Black Eye Friday
Violent scenes as a fight breaks out as revellers in Newcastle take part in the Black Eye Friday celebrations
A pregnant reveller in Newcastle wearing a costume of wrapped presents poses with her friends
A woman in Newcastle poses in the centre of Newcastle wearing a santa costume
Revellers pictured getting into the festive spirit in Newcastle town centre
A group of friends give a thumbs up, peace sign and wave ahead of Black Eye Friday
They say they have already seen levels of demand rising to last seen during the pandemic, as they take up to 7,000 999 and 10,000 111 calls every day – almost double the typical 5,500.
Stuart Crichton, Director of 999 Operations at London Ambulance Service, said: ‘We are already extremely busy as we head into winter.
‘As Londoners enjoy the festive season we are urging everyone to be careful – every avoidable alcohol-related call we attend could take away from someone who might have a life-threatening condition.
‘It’s important that Londoners use the 999 service wisely: only calling us when it’s a serious medical emergency so we can prioritise responding to the most seriously ill and injured patients. Please make sure you have the medication you need ahead of the long holiday weekend as some local pharmacies will have different opening hours.
A group of friends dressed up for their night out in Newcaslte during the Black Eye Friday celebrations
A man looks worse for wear in Leeds as people hit the booze hard
Another man is seen sprawled out on the street of Nottingham
Two men are engaged in a fight as they tussle on the ground of Leeds city centre
A large police and medical presence was seen throughout the city of Nottingham as emergency services anticipated a hectic night of fun
A bunch of lads enjoying their festive night out are pictured wearing Christmas outfits
A bouncer in Nottingham gives a thumbs up ahead of a busy night
A man gives his friend a piggy back as they feel the festive spirit in Leeds
A man looks worse for wear as he puts his head in his hands in Leeds
A girl gives her friend a piggy back ride in Manchester city centre
Friends stop to enjoy a dinner to soak up the alcohol in Birmingham city centre
Two men look like they’re about to pass out after hitting the clubs and pubs in Birmingham
Revellers in Newcastle get into the festive spirit with their santa outfits
Friends spotted in Nottingham with one dressed as an elf and another wearing reindeer antlers
‘So if you need advice or medication from a pharmacist in London, use the NHS pharmacy finder to check which pharmacies are open near you.’ Likewise, North East Ambulance Service’s deputy chief operating officer Victoria Court added: ‘Each year we see an increase in alcohol-related calls.
‘We want everyone to enjoy their festivities – but please be responsible and look after each other when you’re out celebrating. We want everyone to have a good time, but don’t ruin your fun by ending up in the back of an ambulance.’
orth East Ambulance Service’s deputy chief operating officer Victoria Court added: ‘Each year we see an increase in alcohol-related calls.
‘We want everyone to enjoy their festivities – but please be responsible and look after each other when you’re out celebrating.
‘We want everyone to have a good time, but don’t ruin your fun by ending up in the back of an ambulance.’