WILTSHIRE police say too many people are fooling themselves into thinking they will be safe to drive the morning after a drinking binge.

Inspector Cavan Moroney is concerned about the number of people failing drink-drive tests after a night of heavy boozing.

Officers have been stopping motorists who mistakenly think they are safe to get behind the wheel the next morning.

Insp Moroney said: "We have stopped a number of people in recent months who are still over the limit.

"It can take 10 to 12 hours for alcohol to get out of the system. It is especially dangerous when people have been drinking into the early hours and are getting into their car before midday.

"It is more of a problem now bars and clubs are staying open until 2am."

Figures published last week show drink-driving levels have rocketed in north and west Wiltshire.

From April to October one in every 10 people arrested was a drink-driver.

Police are urging groups of revellers going out for the night to nominate a driver who only has soft drinks.

Insp Moroney said myths, including drinking milk to line the stomach and eating lots of food before going out, did not stop people testing positive.

"The only safe limit is to not drink at all," said Insp Moroney. "Any alcohol you consume goes into your bloodstream there is no way to stop that.

"The biggest problem we have is people perceive their driving is better after a couple of drinks, but the fact is, as you start to drink, you lose the ability to do more than one thing at a time.

"Motoring skills start to diminish and people begin swerving and hitting the kerb.

"Anyone who commits a moving traffic offence or is involved in a collision will be stopped and tested."

Yesterday marked the start of the Association of Chief Police Officers' (ACPO) drink-drive campaign. Until January 2 all forces have to submit daily numbers of failed tests.

Insp Moroney said: "During this period we will be targeting drivers. But it's not just a Christmas problem, it's a problem all year round."

To support the police in hammering home the message the Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News has relaunched its Shame a Drink Driver campaign.

This year, in addition to publishing the names and pictures of drivers who break the law, we are appealing for people to help police catch offenders by shopping a drink-driver.

Anyone with information can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or Wiltshire police control room on (01225) 763101.

Builder Anthony Futcher was banned for 30 months for driving while nearly three times over the legal drink-drive limit.

Police stopped Futcher, who was driving a red Mitsubishi pick-up truck, outside the John Bull pub, Westfield Road, Trowbridge, at 7pm on November 11.

Officers smelt alcohol on his breath and when he was asked to walk to the police car, they noticed the 47-year-old was unsteady on his feet.

Futcher, of Kingswood Chase, Trowbridge, was breath tested but, because he was unable to provide a reading, a sample was taken at the police station.

He recorded a level of 102mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath the legal limit is 35mg.

Chippenham magistrates gave Futcher, who also admitted driving without insurance, a 30-month ban and he was ordered to pay £255 in fines and costs.

"I've got a few family problems and my GP is helping me with my alcohol disorder," he said.