POLICE say a campaign to clamp down on drink driving over Christmas in Warrington and other parts of Cheshire was successful with the number arrests down compared to last year.

Cheshire Police made 134 arrests for drink driving in the county between December 1 and January 1, compared to 179 in 2013.

Operation Blue Christmas saw 26 drivers arrested in Warrington for being over the legal limit.

Drug driving increased however, with eight arrests made, compared to six last year.

Sup Int Bev Raistrick said "It is extremely pleasing to see that the majority or motorists have heeded the warnings we have issued around the dangers of drink driving.

"However, it is also disappointing to see that despite repeated warnings there are still a small number of motorist who believe that it is acceptable to drive whilst under the influence of alcohol."

Of the 134 people, 108 were men and 26 were women.

The oldest person arrested was an 87 year-old-woman after she failed to provide a breath sample.

The youngest was a 17-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of drink driving.

In total the force conducted 3954 breath tests, 347 more than during the same period in 2013.

Super Int Raistrick added: "My officers have to deal with the devastating aftermath that drink drivers leave behind on a daily basis.

"Not only are they responding to collisions, but they are also working with the families of innocent victims, who have been killed as a result of drink driving.

"Although this operation has now finished, I want to reassure the public that drink driving is an issue that we will continue to target 365 days a year."