LANCASHIRE police will launch their annual Christmas drink-driving crackdown next week with a range of measures lined up to stop festive drinking turning into death on the roads.

The force is working in conjunction with Lancashire County Council's Road Safety team in the campaign - part of the 'Together We Can Make A Difference' scheme - to help stop revellers taking to the roads after a few drinks.

This year the force is encouraging people to think about their arrangements in advance and, if people know they will be drinking, to use alternative transport.

Throughout December the police will stage regular checkpoints around the county with officers breathalysing motorists suspected of having had a drink. There will also be early morning checkpoints to catch out those who may be over the limit the morning after.

As well as this the force is encouraging people to use the drink-link facility with Crimestoppers, which means information about a drink driver can be passed on confidentially and free of charge. Lancashire Constabulary's chief inspector Ian Bell's stern warning is that drinking and driving will not be tolerated.

"We would ask people to think very carefully about transport if they are drinking at all," he said.

"A number of taxi, coach and bus companies are already on board in supporting us with this initiative."

The campaign will be launched at Preston Flag Market on Monday at 10am and county councillor Richard Toon, chairman of the Highways and Transportation Committee, will be in attendance.

He said: "Christmas is a time for fun and, for many, enjoying a drink or two. But people have to behave responsibly. Drinking and driving is one Christmas tradition we can do without.

"If we save one life as a result of making people aware of drinking and driving, then the campaign will have been worthwhile."

Drink drive checkpoints will be in operation fron now on and anyone with information about a driver suspected of drinking can call Crimestoppers free on 0800 555 111.