ROAD safety experts today waged war on Bolton's drink drivers, days after the BEN revealed the town's mounting crash death toll.

Police, road safety officers and firefighters were at the launch of the latest government campaign against Greater Manchester's drink-drivers motorists.

National figures show 3,000 people are killed or seriously injured every year.

And as part of the campaign, Bolton police are gearing up for their own clamp-down on festive drink drivers, with their annual operation due to start on December 4.

In the run up to Christmas, officers in marked and unmarked vehicles, will be on the hunt for drink-drivers and roadside stop-checks will be enforced.

Sgt Barry Fairclough, of Bolton's traffic unit, said: "Roadside checks will ensure vehicles are properly maintained for winter driving.

"If we detect the driver has been drinking, then the appropriate action will be taken.

"All traffic patrols will be looking out for and targeting known areas for drink-driving."

Two stop check sites will be set up every day until to January 1 as part of the roaming patrol initiative which will include input from section officers and police motorcycle riders.

Details of the annual clampdown were unveiled just days after the BEN revealed that deaths on Bolton's roads may double by the end of the year.

So far this year, 10 people have died in road crashes and worsening driving conditions have left safety experts fearful that figure could increase.

The Government's anti-drink-drive campaign was launched at the same time as Home Office minister Charles Clarke was announcing a £20,000 boost for GMP to tackle alcohol-related crime.

A series of hard-hitting television and press advertis will be run as part of the Government campaign to warn people of the drink-drive dangers.