A POPULAR nightspot is offering free soft drinks in the run-up to Christmas in a bid to help police clamp down on drink-driving over the festive season.

Cleveland Police has teamed up with The Keys on Yarm High Street as it launches its drink-driving awareness campaign today. The "designated driver" on nights out at the bar and club will be offered free soft drinks.

The national Christmas Drink and Drug Drive launches on Thursday to warn people about the dangers of driving under the influence.

Chief Inspector Graham Milne, from the Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit, said: “Our message to drivers is simple. If you take the risk of driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you could kill someone, or even yourself.

“Even if you’ve had a few drinks on an evening and you think you can get up and drive the next morning, it may be the case that you are still over the limit. Drugs also stay in the system for a very long time.”

He added: “I would ask drivers to think about how they would feel if their loved one was killed by a driver who was under the influence and I would urge them not to take that chance with a life.”

James Ransom, Manager at The Keys, said: “I think this is a great campaign to be a part of, especially at this time of year when it’s easy to be persuaded into having one more drink during Christmas parties and celebrations.

“It’s not only peoples own lives at risk, it’s others on the road too. It’s something that has a domino effect and could ruin families at Christmas if the worst were to happen.”

Officers will be taking part in educational and enforcement action by carrying out random checks on drivers.

Other methods such as roadside ‘Drugwipe’ tests will also be used.

Motorists convicted of drug driving can be banned for up to a year, fined up to £5,000 and may face prison.