ALMOST 300 drivers were arrested for drink driving over the Christmas and New Year holidays, West Mercia police figures show.

Although the number of arrests, 276, is roughly the same as in 2004, police say this is still far too high.

The figures relate to the force area of Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.

Sergeant John Roberts, of the force operations department, said: "This year the statistics have been collated over a whole month, instead of the usual two weeks, so we are unable to give a like for like comparison. However, it appears that the number of people who are drinking and driving is remaining about the same."

The drink drive campaign, which ran from December 1-31, saw 2,639 people being asked to give a roadside breath test.

Of those people the number of positive results, including those who refused or failed to provide a test, totalled 276.

However, the key indicator for the trend concerning drink-driving is the number of drivers arrested for impairment following a collision.

The total number of tests following a traffic collision was 591 and of those 33 were found to be positive or refused or failed to provide a specimen.

This equated to 5.5 per cent, which is up on last year's figure of 4.6 per cent and around the average monthly figure of five per cent in the force area.

During the period of the campaign the total number of people who were injured as a result of a collision across the four counties was 326.

In addition, 34 people were arrested for being unfit to drive through drink or drugs.

Sgt Roberts added: "There are still too many drivers ignoring the devastating consequences drinking and driving can have for them, their family and friends, as well as for other road users.

"The 276 people arrested during the campaign can look forward to the New Year with a driving ban for at least 12 months, fines of up to £5,000 and even the possibility of up to six months imprisonment."