The number of motorists caught drink-driving in the Thames Valley over the festive period this year has risen.

Between December 1 and January 1, 261 drivers were arrested for driving with excess alcohol, compared to 257 in the same period in 2009.

Police said the figure rose during this period despite the adverse weather conditions, which reduced traffic on the roads on the weekend of December 18 and the week leading up to Christmas.

Insp Colin Clark, leading the Op Tipple campaign, said: “These figures show that Thames Valley Police will crackdown on drink-drivers whatever the weather.

“Although the weather significantly reduced the amount of traffic on our region’s roads we continued to target those who are prepared to drink and drive.

“It is disappointing to see a rise in the number of people who are still not prepared to accept the dangers posed by drink-driving.

“This year we also focused on those who drive the morning after a night out and the figures also show that many of those who were caught had not allowed themselves enough time to recover after a heavy night.

“A police officer has the power to stop any vehicle and once a police officer suspects the driver has been drinking, he will test the driver.

“Although Operation Tipple finished on January 1, we will continue to pursue those who choose to drink and drive and put other road users at risk. Clearly the message is that if you drink and drive you can expect to get caught and receive a driving ban.”

The highest recorded reading was 157 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, from a 50-year-old man from Milton Keynes. The legal limit is 35 milligrams.

He was charged with the offence, appeared before Milton Keynes Magistrates’ Court on December 30 and was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison and disqualified from driving for three years.

Of those arrested, 87 per cent were men and 13 per cent were women.

Police said Saturday, December 11, saw the highest number of motorists arrested, 25, and 20 were arrested on New Year’s Eve.