POLICE forces have pledged to continue to clamp down on drink-driving after seasonal campaigns returned disappointing results in some areas.

Traffic chiefs in North Yorkshire and County Durham have expressed disappointment at the numbers of people caught flouting drink drive laws during the festive season - though police in Cleveland believe most drivers have taken the message on board.

Between December 18 and January 2, Durham police breath-tested 98 people following road accidents, with 17 drivers testing positive.

The results showed an increase on 2002, when 112 tests returned 16 positive results, while the year before six drivers were positive out of 65 tested.

Over the entire campaign 2,338 breath-tests were given, with 86 positive results, and there were 44 road accidents where at least one person was reported injured.

Insp Alan Hutchinson of the force's traffic department said: "We are disappointed with the number of people who still disregard the law and continue to drink and drive despite our appeals.

"Those who continue to flout the law should be in no doubt that although the festive season is over, our efforts will continue throughout the year."

In Cleveland, officers targeted areas with a known history of drink-related accidents. The 81 breath-tests carried out following accidents returned the lowest positive rate in the region, with only three drivers found to be over the limit.

In the campaign between December 18 and January 2, officers administered 333 breath-tests with 28 proving positive.

Insp Steve Lawson of the force's road policing unit said that the force's focused approach to tackling drink-driving had paid off.

He said: "It seems that the majority of drivers have taken our message on board. However, we are aware that there are some motorists who believe they are above the law and are complacent.

"Our quest to free the roads from drink drivers does not end now that the holiday period is over. We will seek out drink-drivers 365 days a year and they will be caught and dealt with."

Insp Lawson thanked members of the public who passed on information about people they believed were intending to drink and drive.

North Yorkshire police breath-tested 1,821 people between December 12 and January 2, with 85 positive results. Of the 247 tests administered after an accident, 21 people were found to be over the limit- a rate of less than five percent.

During the three-week operation there were 123 road accidents in which someone was hurt.

Supt Martin Deacon, head of road policing, said: "The percentage of people failing the test is down on the previous year, but it is still not good enough and no-one is celebrating.

"I am disappointed that there is still a hard-core minority of drivers who feel no sense of responsibility to other people's safety or their own families' welfare.

"Despite all the publicity, despite the widespread knowledge of the dangers of drink-driving, and despite a rigorous and highly visible police campaign across the country, there are still people who are prepared to mix alcohol and driving.

"Drink-driving is a year-round issue and offenders should be warned that the police will not relax their efforts.