POLICE are warning drivers across the borough that they will be clamping down on drink and drug driving throughout the summer.

As the temperature rises, so does the tendency to drink alcohol in the day and early evening, at barbecues and in beer gardens.

Throughout this month officers will be breathalysing all drivers who display signs of bad driving and testing all drivers after collisions. Where the driver is suspected of driving while impaired by drugs, officers will undertake a Field Impairment Test with the driver at the roadside.

The tests measure divided attention by asking drivers to undertake complex tasks that would be easy to perform when sober.

A spokesman for Bury police said: "The lead up to Christmas is traditionally a time to focus on drink driving but the effect of alcohol on drivers is every bit as dangerous in summer.

"In hot summer weather there is a tendency to drink more to replace the body's fluids lost in the heat so extra care is needed to make sure people are not drinking and driving.

"We determined to continue to be vigilant against this anti-social behaviour that puts the lives of innocent people at risk."

The penalties for drink/drug driving are severe, including disqualification for at least a year, a fine up to £5,000 and up to six months imprisonment.