AVON and Somerset police have welcomed the force's festive drink-drive figures, which reveal the vast majority of motorists steered well clear of alcohol when getting behind the wheel of their cars.

Between December 4 and January 2, officers stopped 8,000 drivers throughout the force area.

Of those, 746 were given breath tests, with 213 proving positive. A further 20 people were arrested for refusing to give a test and 13 were charged with being drunk in charge of a vehicle.

Superintendent Lawrie Lewis, head of the force's road policing unit, said the figures proved the Christmas campaign of designating a non-drinking driver - known as Des - on nights out had worked.

He said: "Having stopped almost 8,000 motorists over the festive period, we are very pleased that the vast majority have taken notice of the 'I'll be Des' campaign and nominated a Des for the night.

"We hope that people will continue to take Des with them all year round.

"However, nearly 250 people risked their own and others' lives by getting behind the wheel.

"They were arrested and will now lose their licence and probably their livelihood."

More than ten per cent of those arrested had lost control of their vehicle and been involved in a crash.