THE number of drivers found over the drink drive limit on Bolton's roads during the Christmas crackdown jumped by more than 25 per cent. But traffic police believe more people were caught because of the big increase in roadside checks in one of the biggest Christmas campaigns ever mounted.

Police believe that despite the shock figures, the vast majority of drivers have a responsible attitude and the overall trend of drink driving in Greater Manchester is falling.

A spokesman stressed that changes in the way police approached the campaign and compiled the statistics made comparisons with last year slightly misleading.

The main factor was a big increase in the number of motorists stopped and checked - 1,253 this year, compared with 538 the previous festive season.

Thirty six motorists were found to be over the limit and charged with drink-drive offences in Bolton during the Christmas and New Year crackdown. Last year police charged 28 motorists in Bolton.

But a police spokesman explained that this year fewer than three per cent of drivers stopped were over the limit, compared to more than five per cent last year.

And figures compiled in line with government criteria across Greater Manchester showed a falling trend. National figures are now being collated, based on how many motorists involved in injury-causing accidents are over the limit.

This year 50 arrests following accidents were made in Greater Manchester compared with 63 last year. Two people died in accidents where drivers were tested and found to be over the limit. In Bolton police investigated 37 accidents that resulted in injuries. Seven motorists involved in these accidents were found to be over the limit.

Across Greater Manchester there were 401 injury accidents during the festive campaign.

Force road safety officer Insp Brian Ritson said: "The figures show an encouraging reduction on last year's results. But for some people Christmas has still been a time of unnecessary suffering at the hands of completely irresponsible individuals.

"To all those who did not drink and drive we would ask that they maintain that responsible attitude throughout the coming year.

"We shall continue to be active in our efforts to reduce the incidence of this irresponsible and dangerous behaviour."

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