POLICE are taking no chances this Christmas and are setting up drink-drive checkpoints to catch offending drivers.

Officers will breathalyse motorists who have had a drink, or are suspected of having had a drink.

Chief inspector Ian Bell said: "Christmas is traditionally a peak period for people drinking and driving and it's important that police send out a clear message that it will not be tolerated in Lancashire.

"Of course the police cannot do this alone and we are working with the county council and all our other partners in stamping out drink-driving."

He said the police need help from the public in identifying persistent offenders and urged people to call the CrimeStoppers freephone number -- 0800 555 111 -- where people can give details about drink-drivers and remain anonymous if they wish.

The Christmas campaign will be officially launched on Preston's Flag Market on Monday, December 4, by the police, Lancashire County Council and taxi drivers from 'Call a Cab' in Preston.

Call a Cab will represent more than 6,000 cabbies across Lancashire who will be displaying the campaign's 'Don't Drink and Drive' message.

County councillor Richard Toon, chairman of Lancashire County Council's highways and transportation committee, said: "Christmas is a time for having fun and, for many, enjoying a drink or two, but people have to behave responsibly. Drinking and driving is one Christmas tradition we can all do without.

"The only safe way is not to drink if you are driving. If we can save one life as a result of making people more aware of the dangers of drink driving then this campaign will have been worthwhile."