GO ON THEN -- I'll just have one for the road...

How many times will you hear that old chestnut over the festive season? But next time you risk that last pint or large whisky, perhaps confident that you'll be "home and hosed" in 20 minutes or so, think again...

It could be a very long and winding road. And a very expensive one.

Blackpool police are out to catch drink drivers this Christmas as they launch one of their biggest ever campaigns.

A county-wide clampdown over the festive period began on Monday as police set up checkpoints which are opening as early as 6am and will operate as late as is felt necessary.

Police are pulling over cars and handing out leaflets about drink driving. However, if officers are suspicious that the driver has had a drink they will give him or her a breath test.

And that could be YOU. "It won't happen to me." is a common misconception; especially after a few drinks. Don't bet on it. Especially not now. Failure could see you facing a conviction which will cost you a packet and shadow your life for ever -- especially if, through your couldn't-care-less attitude someone is injured or killed.

Chief Inspector Ian Bell, road policy co-ordinator for Lancashire, said drink drivers seldom think about the effects a conviction will have on their own lives.

"Often two groups of people suffer as a result of drink drivers," he said.

"There are the families of victims who are obviously devastated and all our sympathy goes out to them.

"The driver also suffers and the impact on his family can be as devastating.

"Drivers can lose their livelihood which could bring about severe financial hardship for families and there is the possibility of never being able to get insurance again.

"And, of course, the public's attitude towards drink drivers has changed dramatically over recent years and they will find they get no sympathy from other members of the public. Socially you will lose out so much."

Chief Insp. Bell also clearly sent out a warning to "early morning drink drivers."

"Many people just don't realise they are still above the limit -- they think they feel fine or are just suffering from a hangover.

"But if you have been out at a club till late at night, you could still be well over the limit -- it is not Ok because you have had four or five hours of sleep."

So the message is simple this Christmas; don't throw away your life...

DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE!