A GROUP of students who were randomly pulled over as part of a police campaign have been praised for providing officers with refreshments.

Officers from Cleveland and Durham’s Specialist Operations Unit were in Bishop Auckland last night carrying out roadside checks on the back of their joint Christmas campaign No Empty Chair, which is aimed at changing the behaviour of those who chose to drink or drug drive.

Just after 9pm, officers stopped a car full of young students in the market place. The driver happily parked up in a nearby bay and carried out and passed a roadside test.

And moments later the youngsters returned to the bay with coffees for the entire police team.

Sergeant Pete Tate, from Durham's Road Policing Unit said: “The group were so quick in delivering the drinks, we barely had time to say thank you.

“I would just like to pass on my appreciation to the group who went out of their way to keep us refreshed and warm."

Several stops were carried out throughout the night and there were no fails.