Police have condemned 'irresponsible' drink-drivers after figures released on Wednesday revealed a rise in the number of Hampshire motorists found to be over the legal limit during the festive period.

Officers at Hampshire's road policing unit revealed that between 18 December and 2 January, 37 people failed breath tests out of 474 tested in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight after collisions. Five arrests were in Andover alone.

Last year the figure for failed breath tests was 32 out of 659 which means there has been a rise from 4.85 per cent last year to 7.8 per cent this year.

Hampshire police describe the trend as disturbing, despite being below the national average of 8.91 per cent.

The rise is also reflected in the total number of arrests made for drink-driving - up to 197 compared to 188 last year and 160 the year before.

Roads Policing Unit casualty reduction manager Sgt Steve Wakeford said: "I'm very disappointed by these figures.

"Despite our high profile campaign people have still chosen to ignore our warnings.

"What's worrying now is that it appears drink-driving is an increasing trend.

"Similarly, what is just as worrying is that the highest percentage of people arrested were in the 16 to 24 age bracket, and overall 46 per cent of offenders were under 30.

"What will it take to get these people to understand the dangers they present?

"We don't want any more lives lost as a result of this irresponsible act.

"There is no excuse for this anti-social practice."

Wiltshire Constabulary meanwhile saw a fall in the number of people testing positive.

In the same two week period a total of 281 drivers were breath-tested after being involved in accidents across the force area in Wiltshire.

Twelve of these were arrested for providing positive breath specimens.

This is seven, or 37 per cent, less than last year.

The number of injury road accidents during this period was down from 81 to 74.

Wiltshire's force road safety officer, Sgt Dave Melvin, added: "The reduction in the numbers of drivers arrested after road collisions is pleasing, as is the reduction of injury road collisions."

Both forces say they will continue to maintain enforcement of the drink-drive laws throughout the year as part of their commitment to cutting the number of people being killed or seriously injured on the roads.