DRIVERS who drink or take drugs as part of Christmas celebrations then get behind the wheel must expect to be caught, say police.

Officers are targeting roads with high casualty rates, and routes from popular pubs and bars. They are also carrying out 'morning after' checks on roads into town centres and other employment centres.

Twelve months ago, Cheshire was among the top five counties for breath tests in December with more than 4,400 drivers tested and 225 arrested.

Sgt Ian Holley, who investigates fatal and serious road crashes in the Middlewich area, said: 'At a time like Christmas the possibility of a driver drinking is even higher than usual. For those who ignore the obvious dangers our campaign is intended to drive home the message that you will not get away with it.

'Everyone who is involved in a collision on the roads at any time of day can expect to be breathalysed and police are stopping and breath testing any driver they suspect may have been drinking.

'We are also carrying out stop checks on many roads. Officers carry out routine safety checks on vehicles and if they have the slightest reason to think the driver has been drinking they carry out a breath test.'