IT may be the season of goodwill, but the period between Christmas and New Year is the likeliest time for arguments to flare up between partners and even turn into violent confrontations.

Staying cooped up with relatives, drinking too much and festive disappointments can all cause tempers to fray.

Even without physical aggression, family squabbles can ruin a special time of year for mums, dads and children alike.

At Bury's Relate counselling service, which helps to resolve underlying causes of conflict, staff are preparing for a hectic new year.

Mrs Joyce Siddall, from the service, said: "Every single year, the period between new year and March is the busiest one for us, because of things that have happened at Christmas.

"People might have had problems beforehand, but they seem to be magnified because families are together.

"They might have overspent and people drink more, which all puts an extra strain on relationships." Honest discussions about expectations for the holiday season, thinking about what others want from it, and resolving niggles from previous months can all help to keeps rows at bay.

Mrs Siddall said: "People should also try to budget because overspending makes everything twice as bad at Christmas, and in the new year, when the credit card bills start coming in."

And with alcohol abuse a major cause of domestic violence, aggression and upset, people are advised to drink in moderation, with food and water, and not to mix drinks.

But where emotions do boil over, they are most likely to turn violent during the festive season.

"When domestic violence is possible, it is more likely to happen with someone who is volatile at a stressful time, like Christmas," Mrs Siddall explained.

For this reason police, who are taking a tougher line than ever on domestic violence, have been gearing up for a busy time. They say a "pro-active" approach is being adopted and are more prepared than ever to make arrests.

Domestic violence officer PC Craig Simpson said: "The problem of domestic violence has been highlighted years and is something that the police have taken very seriously.

"Should incidents occur over the festive period, they are being treated in exactly the same manner as the rest of the time.

"We will always look to arrest the perpetrators and put them before the courts."

In advance of Christmas, the Crown Prosecution Service announced that it would ensure that incidents of domestic violence are taken to court. The fact that perpetrators know their victims is no longer seen as a mitigating factor, but an aggravating one.

PC Simpson added: "The CPS will, in all cases as far as I am aware, press for a full prosecution."

Bury Relate will be open from January 2, but messages can be left on its answerphone, with urgent calls followed up quickly, on 764 4113.

The Women's Aid National Domestic Violence 24-hour helpline is on 08457 023468.