IT is the deadly booze craze gripping social media.

Students and young people in Hampshire are among those consuming potentially fatal alcoholic cocktails in the latest widespread Internet trend.

Now alcohol awareness groups have warned that anyone tempted to take part in the notorious drinking game NekNomination would be putting their life at risk.

It follows the death of 20-year-old Isaac Richardson, from London, who collapsed in the early hours of Sunday morning after consuming a cocktail of wine, whisky and vodka.

The trend involves people filming themselves downing bizarre combinations of alcohol with other foods and drinks and nominating someone to continue the game before posting it on Internet sites such as Facebook.

It is thought to have originated in Australia and has seen players consume alcohol with dog food, engine oil and even goldfish.

Participants choose what they put in their drink and are often dared to outdo the exploits of those who nominated them.

Andrew Langford, chief executive of the British Liver Trust, said: “Drinking at this level over a long period of time will have effects on the liver and people need to be very careful.

“The acute issues of NekNomination are alcohol poisoning and vomiting when unconscious and the antisocial behaviour that goes with it.”

Dr Sarah Jarvis, medical adviser for alcohol education charity Drinkaware, said: “Young people often say they feel peer pressure to drink to fit in, but competitions to drink excessively in a short space of time can be dangerous.”

She said that it increased the chances of injuries, and that posting footage on social media could dent future university and job prospects.

Solent University journalism student Beth Anderson was nominated for the dare by her cousin.

Beth, 19, from Wilton Avenue, Southampton, drank a mixture of milk, vodka, strong lager and an apple and cinnamon cold and flu remedy.

She insists that there were no bad effects and added: “It’s your responsibility not to be too stupid with what you put in it.

“Some people take it too far but it’s meant to be silly.

“If you don’t want to do it, you shouldn’t have to.”

Danny Harris, 19, a Southampton University first year geography student, from Bassett, was challenged by his football teammates.

He downed a concoction of vodka, wine, beer, gin, whipped cream, milk, HP sauce, marmite and lube.

He denied he was pressured into it and said: “I felt fine; it just tasted really different to most drinks. I see it as completely harmless fun. But some people take things too far and don’t know when to stop.”

Tom leads opposition to craze

FORMER X-Factor star Tom Mann has joined a rising movement to counterattacking of deadly drinking craze NekNomination.

The guitarist from Chandler’s Ford has posted his own Internet video highlighting the dangers of
the potentially fatal game.

The 20 year old – who was eliminated from last year’s competition at Bootcamp stage – has posted his song Neknominate/Neknomination on YouTube.

Meanwhile more than 100 students at Southampton University are fighting back by posting #RAKnominate videos.

These show students carrying out Random Acts of Kindness and encouraging others to do the same.

They include buying Big Issue sellers cups of coffee, sending friends flowers and cooking flatmates breakfast in bed.

  • Additional reporting by Hannah Carroll