Posters and cards with a helpline number will be handed out

Launched on Wednesday the campaign, called Spiked, aims to raise awareness of the dangers of drug-assisted rape.

It comes after a national increase in reports of drug rape including an incident in Brighton in June where a woman was raped in a pub toilet.

Posters and information cards with a helpline number will be handed out to young people over the next week through clubs, pubs colleges and taxi firms.

The campaign is being run in partnership with a number of agencies including Brighton and Hove City Council and Sussex Police.

John Patience, communities against drugs officer at the council said: "Drug rape is a real threat to young people today and they need to be warned of the dangers and advised on how to take precautions when they are out partying in Brighton and Hove."

Other planned projects include introducing training courses for people such as door supervisors, licensees, taxi drivers and paramedics to recognise and deal with the symptoms of drug rape.