Partygoers returning home the worse for wear during the festive season are being helped to make sure they do not sleep past their train stop.

Passengers on First Great Eastern services from Liverpool Street station in London to Suffolk and Essex will be offered badges on which they can write the name of their local station.

It is hoped that fellow passengers will take pity on their predicament and wake them at the right moment.

A spokesman for the company said: "It isn't fun to leave your office party and then find yourself miles from home."

The badges will be distributed from Wednesday evening to the 50,000 commuters who use the services.

First Great Eastern is sure Christmas goodwill will prevail.

"There is always a good friendly spirit on late evening trains in the lead up to Christmas and we hope that passengers will help each other out."