The emergency staff has issued an injury warning to those preparing a Christmas dinner while drunk.

Dr John Heyworth, emergency department consultant at Southampton General Hospital, said his department witnesses similar injuries every year.

The most common problems reported every year were of burns from the oven and people unable to chew turkey and choking on it.

The hospital unusual injuries like people stabbing themselves while removing stones from avocados were on a rise.

"If people are hosting elderly people for Christmas dinner, it is important to take extra care of them," Dr Heyworth added.

Strange injuries, including people getting their eyelids stuck in zips as they try new clothes, were reported by medics.

Sister Emma Powditch added, “The main problems people come in with over Christmas include scratches to the eye from Christmas tree branches as they place and retrieve gifts from under the tree, and corks hitting the eye.”

According to an estimate made by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents more than 80,000 people were likely to attend hospital after a accident at home.