Welsh residents are being reminded to stay safe around the railway this Christmas while enjoying festive drinks.

Whether you’re staying in Brecon over Christmas and the new year, or traveling to other areas of the country - a lot of people enjoy a drink and the associated Christmas parties.

Network Rail, the British Transport Police (BTP) and the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) have launched the new "keep a clear head" campaign after a sharp increase in the number of incidents on the railway involving alcohol.

With over 1,000 level crossings and more than 250 railway stations across Wales, the campaign is warning the public to take extra care when traveling via train - especially if they have been drinking alcohol.

The director of route safety and asset management for Network Rail in Wales and Borders, Jeff Davies, said: "We have one of the safest railways in Europe, and we are working hard with our partners Arriva Trains Wales and British Transport Police to get everyone home safe every day.

"That's why we’re reminding the public to remain alert to dangers whilst they’re having fun over the festive season. Taking a short cut across the tracks, chancing it at a level crossing or tripping at the platform edge can cause delays to your journey or in some case result in serious harm.

"Enjoy yourself but don’t let alcohol stop you or your fellow passengers from getting to where you need to be - keep a clear head."

There were 7,491 recorded alcohol-related incidents on or around the railway in 2016/2017, of which 16% took place over the festive period - between Thursday, November 24 2016 and Monday, January 2 2017.

21 people have been killed due to alcohol-related incidents at the platform edge and 91 have been seriously injured over the last ten years.

The group have released a video as part of the campaign which you can view below:

The director of standards at RSSB Tom Lee said that there have been around 469 alcohol-related incidents at the platform edge over the past five years.

He also said that, according to BTP, many incidents are caused by violence at the train stations after those involved had drank an excess of alcohol.

Tom Lee said: "Between November 24, 2016 and January 2, 2017 the number of violent offences reported at railway stations across Wales, Scotland and England increased by 14% compared with the same period in 2015/2016. Almost one in ten of those offences involved alcohol."

Further alcohol awareness events have been held around the UK at the busier railway stations in the run-up to Christmas, including inviting the public to wear "beer goggles" which simulate trying to walk when you’re drunk.

Those enjoying pubs and clubs over the festive period near railway stations and level crossings will also be targeted with a reminder to "keep a clear head".

BTP are stepping up the number of patrols at railway stations across the UK since the increase was announced.

Sergeant Nick Brown from BTP said: "Unfortunately, during the festive season, we see a rise in public order offences and antisocial behaviour. Much of this is down to the people involved drinking too much and behaving in a way that would shock them and their family and friends if they were sober.

"We want everyone to get to their destination safely. Our officers will be out on the network helping people to enjoy the festivities safely and encourage them to think about how alcohol can affect they way they behave and the effect this has on their fellow passengers.

"Think about what you would do and how you would behave if you were sober. There is no excuse for spoiling other people’s journeys or behaving any differently because you’ve drunk alcohol. We want you to have fun but it’s more important to get where you’re going safely."