Almost 200 people were breathalysed and 56 arrested during Mid Kent Police’s festive drink drive operations.

That is two fewer arrests than during last years campaign which also ran from December 1 to 31.

This year officers noticed increasing numbers of motorists drinking and driving during the afternoons at weekends.

Insp Geoff Wyatt said: “Of those arrested during the drink-driving operation, a significant number were made over the course of the weekends.

"These arrests were of motorists who had been drinking at lunchtime or gone out for a meal with families and/or friends.

"Not only were they breaking the law, but they were also placing other persons at risk. This situation will be monitored and further enforcement operations will be implemented to meet this growing trend."