DRINK drivers are being warned they will be arrested and prosecuted if they take to the roads over the festive season.

Lancashire police announced the official launch of its annual Christmas drink-drive campaign which takes place next Wednesday.

The campaign will last around a six weeks and includes a new intelligence-led approach to tackling the problem.

Police bosses are calling on members of the public to tip them off about persistent offenders by using the confidential Crimestoppers line.

They will also be setting up random checkpoints across the county on busy roads throughout the holiday season.

Chief Inspector Ian Bell, the head of the force's traffic division, said: "The campaign against drink-driving this Christmas will be different with police officers acting on information received to target those people who we believe are drink drivers."

"The information can be left anonymously on the Crimestoppers number or if it requires immediate police action by telephoning the local police station and in a real emergency by dialling 999."

Anyone wanting to contact Crimestoppers should ring 0800 555111.

During last year's crackdown more than 33,000 motorists were stopped by police but only five arrested for drink driving offences.

But police say research published earlier this year showed the majority of drivers support the annual clampdown.

According to the figures 83 per cent of people who took part in an independent survey of drivers stopped by police said they were happy the random check points were being used to combat the problem of drinking and driving.

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