THE dangers of drinking and driving are being hammered home to drivers in the two counties in an attempt to clamp down on the problem during the festive season.

To cut death and injury on the roads, West Mercia police will be combining road checks with the message of: "Who's taking you home tonight?"

A hearse, ambulance, police car, bus and taxi have been lined up in adverts on show across Herefordshire and Worcestershire to press home the dangers of mixing alcohol with motoring.

The message from the force is, combine the two and you run the risk of being injured, killed or ending up in the back of a police car.

"We don't want to see anybody's Christmas wrecked in this way," said Sgt John Roberts, force road safety officer.

"It's vital if you're going out celebrating that you either take a taxi or public transport or ensure that a member of your party, who is designated to drive home, stays clear of alcohol."

Sgt Roberts said as well as an increase in roadside checks and high-profile policing across Herefordshire and Worcestershire, unmarked cars would also be operating, especially near licensed premises.

He also warned drivers to remember that, after a heavy drinking session in the evening, there was still a good chance of being over the limit the next morning.

Last year, 520 people were killed and 2,500 seriously injured in Britain through the effects of drinking and driving.

In the West Mercia area, in the period 1999-2000, there was an increase in the number of road traffic accidents involving death or injury where one driver tested positive for alcohol from 143 to 179.

Last year, 302 people in Herefordshire failed the breath test. Nationally, 7,124 failed it.

Roger Job, locality manager for the Hereford & Worcester Ambulance Service, backed the police message.

"The ambulance service and our crews are all too familiar with dealing with the horrific effects of drinking and driving," he said.

"We want everyone to enjoy themselves over the festive period, but not at the expense of ruining other peoples lives."

Police stop checks will be carried out throughout Worcestershire and Herefordshire during the Christmas period and into the new year.