The disarming effect that too much alcohol can have on your senses was demonstrated at a Margate nightlcub when youngsters were given the chance to try out 'beer goggles’.

The glasses distort and inpair the ability to perform simple tasks and young people at an under 18 disco at Escape disco found out as they attempted to play a giant Jenga game, Connect 4 and then tried their hand on a driving simulator.

Thanet neighbourhood policing team’s Sgt Rhiannan Simpson said: “This was the first event of this type, but it will not be the last. It is one of many we are organising across Thanet throughout 2009 with organisations, agencies and charities to offer young people all the information they need to give them the knowledge and confidence to make the right choices about alcohol.

“We want to thank the young people for taking part in the games on Saturday. The term 'beer goggles’ has always been used to suggest alcohol makes the world look a better place. But we could give the reality over the weekend.

“Alcohol affects your ability to concentrate, to make rational decisions. At the very least, it makes you put on weight and ultimately, not look very attractive at all.”

The Hang 10 mobile youth club volunteers also helped out during the evening and the Thanet Community Safety Team completed questionnaires with the young people about their views on alcohol.

Also in attendance were paramedics who explained what they have to deal with when alcohol is involved as well as detailing the damaging and devastating effects drink and the results of consuming it can have on the body, from alcohol poisoning to assaults and the aftermath of road traffic collisions.