THE champagne corks are being popped by police chiefs who are celebrating a successful anti-drink drive campaign over the festive period.

Latest statistics show that the number of drink-drivers arrested in Greater Manchester fell by more than 20 per cent.

Over the two-week Christmas and New Year period, a total of 1,069 people were breathalysed as a result of 420 injury road traffic accidents, with just 62 motorists providing positive specimens.

During the same period last year, 452 accidents resulted in 1,037 people being given roadside breath-tests and 78 offenders arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. Inspector Geoff Minshull, GMP's road safety officer said: "Despite the adverse weather conditions, the number of injury crashes have fallen as has the number of people who have been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.

"We find these figures very encouraging as they appear to demonstrate that people are finally getting the message about the dangers of drinking and driving. It would appear that people have acted responsibly and have driven safely."

The recent drink-drive campaign was backed by the 'I'll be DES' campaign which was launched to encourage people to find a designated driver for nights out.

While celebrating the fall in the number of over-the-limit offenders, police are particular keen to remind motorists that the drink-drive problem exists all year round

Insp Minshull added: "The consequences can be so severe that I would urge anyone, no matter what time of year, to think before they drink when they know they have to drive."