Essex Police today said they were disappointed that three per cent of drivers chose to drink and drive over the festive period.

Figures from the Christmas and New Year campaign saw 209 breath positive tests from 6,749 carried out by officers.

These figures show a percentage increase on last year, although more tests were carried out then as officers were not committed to other millennium duties.

In the Basildon and Thurrock areas, 1,092 tests were carried out, 40 of which were positive.

In Rayleigh and Southend 22 drivers were over the limit out of the 1,016 tested.

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