PARTY goers may have been warned to leave their cars at home this Christmas, but in the first two weeks of Avon and Somerset Police's drink drive campaign, 12 people in North Somerset have been arrested.

Across the Avon and Somerset area, police have stopped almost 7,000 motorists as part of Operation Tonic, making 102 arrests have since December 1.

One man arrested was under the influence of alcohol while supervising a provisional license holder.

Operation Tonic has seen officers across North Somerset and the South West carry out stop-checks throughout December and increasing patrols in hot-spot areas, including more isolated locations and rat runs.

PC Mark Carslake said: "As well as carrying out high visibility stop-checks, we are also targeting repeat offenders.

"Last week officers were able to make another arrest after we received calls from two members of the public who were concerned at seeing a man trying to park his car.

"If you suspect anyone of drink or drug-driving we would ask that you report it immediately – remember you could be saving a life."

The campaign is being run across all five police forces in the South West, including Avon and Somerset Constabulary, Dorset Police, Devon and Cornwall Police, Gloucestershire Constabulary and Wiltshire Police.

Police have also teamed up with the West of England and Somerset Road Safety Partnerships to launch a radio campaign this month highlighting the consequences of drink driving.