THE number of people breath-tested positive for drink driving fell by nearly a half over Christmas and New Year.

Between December 18 and January 2 West Mercia Police breathalysed 328 drivers following collisions, with 26 drivers testing positive.

This compares with 38 positive tests following 268 collisions over the same period last year.

The checks were carried out across the whole West Mercia force area.

A police spokesman said as part of a winter crackdown, 1,600-plus vehicles were checked over the period and the condition of one in four gave some cause for concern.