POLICE are urging South Cheshire people to shop irresponsible motorists who drink and drive.

From tomorrow, they will launch an intensive crackdown on drivers who put their lives and others' at risk by having one - or more - for the road. And it is not just a driving ban they will face.

Supt Richard Strachan, of the Cheshire Constabulary road policing unit, is warning culprits they could go to prison.

He said: 'I'm warning the drivers out there who persistently drink-drive, who think 'I won't be caught', that they are wrong.

'One life lost creates many victims by destroying the lives of the families and friends who are left behind. We are determined to stamp out the needless deaths on Cheshire's roads.'

During the last two weeks of last year, 400 breath tests were conducted, with 5% positive.

He added: 'We cannot afford to be complacent. There are still drivers who continue to disregard the safety of others.

'If anyone notices a drink-drive offence, they should ring their local police immediately.'

From Thursday to January 2, police will be monitoring all roads and scrutinising all calls to its dedicated Road Rats 24-hour hotline.

Supt Strachan added: 'The legal alcohol limit for driving is 80ml of alcohol per 100ml of blood, but there is no failsafe guide to the amount of alcohol that a driver can safely consume.

'The amount and type of alcoholic drink, the weight, sex and metabolism of the driver all play a part. But any amount of alcohol affects driving ability.

'A motorist's ability to judge speed and distance may be impaired, their reactions may be slowed and their judgement of risk seriously affected.' The public can contact Road Rats on 01244 612593.