BY IAN ROSS

CHESHIRE Police arrested 11 people for drink driving over Christmas and New Year after being tipped off by members of the public.

The police launched a new free phone hotline which encouraged the public to pass on details of people they suspected of drink driving.

Over the period of the campaign, which ran from December 18 to January 2, 81 calls were received by the hotline, leading to 11 arrests.

A total of 457 drivers were breath tested over that period following collisions, of which 13 provided positive tests.

That compares with 475 tests for December 1999, of which 12 were positive.

"While it's pleasing there has not been an increase in the drink driving figures this year, it appears there is still a core of people who think it is acceptable to drink and drive," said assistant chief constable John Dwyer.

"The 2000 campaign proves these people are no longer free to flout the law, and with our Ring and Tell Someone Hotline set to extend its life throughout this year no drink drivers are safe on Cheshire's roads."

Some 24 people were arrested across the county for drink driving over the Christmas and New Year, the same figure as for December 1999.

During the campaign period there were 128 collisions which resulted in injury.