With England set to play their first match on Wednesday 17 June, Cheshire Police is reminding those visiting the pub to plan their journey home safely.

The force said that while it may be tempting to avoid the cost of a taxi, those who have been drinking late in the evening are putting themselves and other road users at significant risk.

The same warning applies to drivers under the influence of drugs.

Drivers are being urged to plan ahead to ensure a safe journey home and to make the World Cup a memorable event for the right reasons.

Superintendent John Forshaw, from the Roads and Crime Unit, described the "astonishing" number of people driving after consuming a couple of drinks, noting that many claim they are safe to drive because they do not "feel" affected by alcohol.

He said even one drink can affect a driver's ability to respond to changing conditions or the actions of other road users.

"Anything can change in a blink of an eye, and if you have had a drink, you won't be in the best possible position to react to that change – and that can ultimately be the difference between life and death," he said.

"As police officers it's our job to have to deliver the awful news that a family member has sadly died as a result of a collision, and it is gut-wrenching.

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"That's why we're asking you to think if you've had a drink or taken drugs before getting behind the wheel – whether it's that night, or the morning after. We're not being party poopers; we just want everyone to enjoy the drama of a World Cup and live to tell the tale."