THE number of people caught driving after drinking or taking drugs this festive season rose once again, police say.

The Gwent Police campaign ends tomorrow - but officers say that even though some figures are not available until next week, it is already clear more motorists failed roadside breath tests.

A full breakdown of the statistics is not yet available, but in the Bettws section during the past fortnight, for instance, four positive breath tests were recorded and one person arrested on suspicion of driving while under the influence of drink or drugs.

In the Gwent area during last year's campaign 1,063 motorists were stopped and of those 66 were arrested for failing roadside breath tests. The number arrested was an increase on the year before, proving drink driving continues to be a problem.

This year there was a slight increase in the number of people tested.

Gwent Police's Chief Inspector for operational support, Peter Fouweather, said: "Everyone has a duty to consider the safety of others as well as their own.

"Drink driving can have a devastating effect on people's lives."