Battered, bruised, about to fall over, she is the worst model for any young woman contemplating a night out.

It is hoped the mannequin that went on show in a shop window in Olympic town Weymouth this week will be just the warning young people need to steer clear of binge drinking.

She is part of an innovative new Know Your Limits campaign backed by the Home Office and supported by partners that include Dorset police, the primary care trust and Weymouth and Portland Borough Council.

Seven towns strategically placed across the UK are taking part. With the town hosting the sailing events for the 2012 Olympics, civic leaders also want to make sure the town is remembered by people for being the "vibrant welcoming seaside town that it is, and not go home remembering the drunken antics of an irresponsible few".

The clear message to anyone looking through the window of WH Smith is "You wouldn't start a night like this so why end it that way?". The campaign aims to alert young men and women in the 18-to-24 age group of the dangers to their health, and that of other people. The mannequin is linked to a television advertising campaign.

Inspector Pete Meteau, Weymouth and Portland Section Commander, said: "Working with our partners, the police aim is to ensure that Weymouth and Portland has a vibrant but safe night-time economy.

"The situation in Weymouth is generally good but a small minority try to spoil the party. There is also the danger to young women – the best 'date drug' in the world is alcohol.

"There have been a number of serious assaults over a period of years, and we have seen a significant increase over the last several years in the number of young women involved in fighting."

Home Office Minister Alan Campbell said: "Most people enjoy alcohol safely and sociably, but there remains a minority who drink too much and ruin it for everyone else.

"We are determined to reduce the harm caused by binge drinking and the Know Your Limits campaign is helping us to achieve that goal."

Pub Watch premises will be supporting the campaign with posters, and information cards.

Cllr Tim Munro, the council's community safety briefholder, said: "Our aim is that this campaign will make young women more aware of their actions and take care to look after themselves. It's not about telling young people to avoid alcohol altogether but to know their limits and think about their behaviour when they have been drinking.

"We hope the campaign will not only help young people to have a trouble free night out, but also help make Weymouth and Portland an even safer and more enjoyable place."