THE region’s biggest police force arrested 127 people during its December drink-driving crackdown.

The 94 men and 33 women were held by Northumbria officers for driving while over the limit, being unfit to drive through drink, and failing to provide a specimen for analysis .

Eighty have been charged, 32 bailed pending further enquiries, and 15 released with no further action.

Those charged face fines, driving bans and possibly prison.

Northumbria Police Motor Patrols’ Chief Inspector John Heckels said: "It's really disappointing to see such high numbers of people still choosing to drive after having a drink.

"There is never any excuse for it and anyone who is convicted of drink driving rightly deserves to be banned from the roads.

"When someone makes the decision to drink and then get behind the wheel of a car they are putting their own, and other people's lives, at risk.

"Too many lives are affected by drink driving and we will always do all we can to identify and take action against anyone suspected of being behind the wheel of a vehicle while over the limit."

The drink-drive operation was part of the force’s road safety campaign Operation Dragoon, which aims to identify and tackle dangerous drivers and keep the roads safe.