ROAD safety chiefs hope to halt a worrying increase in deaths caused by drink-related accidents on the region's roads.

The number of fatalities in the North-East and North Yorkshire rose from two in 2001 to eight in 2003, while the total number of accidents in which at least one driver failed the breath test went from 579 to 679.

The Department of Transport has issued its summer drink-drive message to the region's motorists, posing the question: "How will you get home tonight?"

Officials were photographed next to a bus, a taxi, a police car, and ambulance and a hearse - to highlight the possibilities facing drivers who want to drink.

"We would prefer people to use public transport, a bus or a taxi, if they are going to have a drink," said Penny Marshall, the head of road safety for the Government Office for the North-East.

"We hope they don't get taken home in a police car and we really don't want them to be in an ambulance or a hearse.''

Mrs Marshall said drink-drive campaigns had reduced the number of casualties but there had been a worrying rise nationally in the last few years that was reflected in the North-East and North Yorkshire.

"People are well aware of the drink-drive campaign at Christmas but perhaps they aren't aware of it in the summer when there is an increase in drink-drive casualties.

"If they have been to a barbecue and had a glass of wine or been to the cricket and drunk a couple of beers they think they will be fine, but they won't be fine.''

Linda Hall, an area road safety officer with Durham County Council, said: "The message we are trying to get across is that people have a choice when they go out.

"They can designate a driver who will not drink or, if they are going out on their own, they have a choice whether they drink or drive. They can use public transport.''

The message backs up hard-hitting TV advertisements showing a young driver deciding in a pub to have another drink and showing the tragic consequences.