THOUSANDS of drivers have been breath tested and 27 have been caught over the limit in East Lancashire during the first two weeks of Lancashire police's festive drink drive campaign.

And the decision to encourage people to phone the Crimestoppers freephone line with information about suspected drink drivers has also paid dividends, with policing receiving 32 calls across the county and following up several leads following tip offs.

The numbers of accidents involving drivers over the limit have fallen drastically for a second year in a row.

Police say their annual campaign has been a huge success and the message is finally getting across to motorists. But they have also warned that the blitz will continue throughout the festive period and into the new Millennium.

The campaign was launched in the first week of December and will last about six weeks. As part of the Christmas campaign police have set up high profile road blocks on major routes across the county. They have also stepped up patrols and are breath testing people involved in traffic accidents.

Chief Inspector Ian Bell, head of the police traffic unit, said: "We are very pleased with the way the campaign has gone although it is still in the early days. Last year the number of accidents involving drink drivers was reduced drastically and the total has fallen again this time around."

He added: "It appears that the message is getting across and there are fewer drink drivers on the roads. But we will no let up and we will be increasing patrols over the Millennium holidays."

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