POLICE in Pennine Division have praised motorists who heeded warnings not to drink and drive during the Christmas campaign.

Although the percentage of motorists who provided a positive breath test or failed to give a specimen increased slightly on 1999 figures, Sergeant Russ Gregory, of Colne Road Policing Unit, said the number of people drinking and driving had decreased.

The figures for Pennine Division, which covers Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale, show 570 drivers breath tested, 25 positive or who failed to provide a specimen which represents 4.4 per cent of those checked.

Last year's figure was 753 drivers breath tested with 30 positive samples given or refusals -- 3.9 per cent.

Sgt Gregory said: "Across the whole of Lancashire the number of collisions that were alcohol-related fell which is good.

"The number of people caught drinking and driving is down and we are pleased with that.

"Road users in the area are not getting the message to not drink and drive and the campaign nationally and locally run in conjunction with the county council and other unitary authorities seems to be working.

"We would also like to thank coach companies and taxi companies for displaying posters and publicising the message not to drink and drive.

"We would also like to thank motorists who acted sensibly and heeded warnings and only made journeys which were necessary when we had the five or six days of adverse weather conditions.

"To the minority of 25 who did not get the message -- they will continue to be targeted."

Lancashire figures for the festive campaign were: 135 people arrested for testing positive or failing to provide a breath test in Lancashire, a total of 4.7 per cent of the total of 3,158 tests carried out.

This compares to last year's 237 arrests out of 3,882 tests or 6.1 per cent.