Swindon police have launched a hard hitting campaign to cut the number of drink related road traffic accidents.

They hope to continue their success of recent years, which has seen the number of drivers testing positive nationally fall from 20 per cent to 12 per cent.

Last December, police carried out 369 tests in Swindon, of which 46 people (12 per cent) tested positive.

Over the busy Christmas period, between December 18 and January 2 2000, 88 drivers were breath tested in the town and five results were positive, compared to 14 arrests made over the same period in 1998.

Police hoping to build on this improvement are offering a stark message to drivers to lay off the alcohol.

Inspector Ian Copus, Swindon Traffic Manager, said: "Our advice to drivers is to lay off the alcohol completely. Any amount will affect your ability to drive."

Running parallel to the Christmas campaign is "I'll be Des", which is an initiative aimed at encouraging drinkers to designate a member of a group to drive home following a night out.

Margaret Tester, Swindon Council's Road Safety Officer, explained: "We are advising that people decide on a designated driver who will not drink at all.

"It's always a good idea to arrange your transport ahead, whether it's a taxi or a driver, so that you don't need to make the decision."

The Christmas campaign, launched yesterday, rams home the message that drinking and driving is one Christmas tradition we can do without.

It features a series of shocking adverts showing real police footage of drink driving accidents with Christmas music by Sir Cliff Richard and the carol Silent Night playing in the background.

PC Ian Hunter of Swindon Traffic Management added: "While it's good for people to make sure they have proper transport home, it's also important for people to think about the morning after.

"There is still alcohol in your bloodstream the morning after a night out, and people are often caught out by this."