Fewer drivers were caught flouting the drink-drive laws on Oxfordshire roads over Christmas and the New Year.

Ten of the 91 drivers breath-tested in the county between December 17 and January 2 were positive.

A year ago, 15 of 83 drivers stopped were over the limit.

In other parts of the Thames Valley, the figures were less encouraging. The number of drink drivers rose in Buckinghamshire and remained the same in Berkshire.

traffic officers welcomed the results, which they say reflect the massive effort put into stopping drink driving.

But they also highlighted a rise in the number of injury accidents over the Christmas period. In Oxfordshire, the figure rose from 34 a year ago to 87.

Supt Norman Bartlett, head of the traffic department, said: "We are being more pro-active than ever in tackling head-on the scourge of drink-driving, carrying out 433 breath tests this year, which is up more than 100.

"Sadly, those tests show how many drivers are prepared to risk everything by ignoring the countless warnings about drink driving. These people are thinking only of themselves and not the terrible suffering they can cause victims."

Supt Bartlett said the rise in injury accidents, which more than doubled across the Thames Valley region from 152 last year to 322, would encourage further effort to improve road safety.

All drivers who provide positive breath tests, including those who refuse to or are unable to give a specimen, face being banned for at least 12 months.

They could also be jailed for six months and fined up to £15,000. Statistics show up to 15 per cent are also likely to lose their jobs.