LANCASHIRE drivers have given a big thumbs-up to the tough stance taken by police on drink-driving last Christmas.

A survey has revealed that drivers in the county support tough action to catch drink-drivers and view the enforcement of road safety law as one of the most important things the police do.

The findings of the survey carried out by Dr Dianne Parker, head of the Driver Behaviour Research Group at the University of Manchester, also reveal that people stopped at police checkpoints as part of the Christmas crackdown had better attitudes than ever before.

More than 830 people were contacted and more than 85 per cent revealed that they were happy with the high profile campaign against drink-driving. Dr Parker said: "Those who had been stopped at a police checkpoint as part of the Christmas campaign had significantly better attitudes to drink-driving than other Lancashire drivers."

Road safety coordinator chief inspector Ian Bell, said: "In recent years the number of people being caught drink-driving has been falling and we have seen this as a sign that drivers' attitudes are changing for the better.

"We are very pleased to find that our campaigns are continuing to have a positive effect and that our year-round action against drink-driving has such strong support from the public."

The publication of the research, commissioned jointly by Lancashire Constabulary and the county council, is welcome news for the police as they prepare to announce details of summer drink-drive operations across the country.

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