POLICE in the Basingstoke area breathalysed 201 drivers over the festive season - resulting in eight people being charged with drink driving.

Inspector Charlie Raison, of Basingstoke traffic police, said: "Although the figures for the previous year's festive season included Farnborough, they are pretty much the same.

"Nevertheless, we are still disappointed to be catching people for this offence and will be continuing the campaign throughout this year, not just at Christmas, to cut the casualties on the roads."

In Hampshire overall there was an increase in the number of people charged with drink driving over the festive period - 279 for this year compared with 260 the previous year, an increase of seven per cent. National statistics will be released on Monday, January 8.