NEARLY 50 people were arrested for drink or drug driving in the first week of this year's Operation Tonic Christmas campaign.

A total of 47 drivers have been stopped and provided positive tests since the month-long crack-down launched across Avon and Somerset on December 1.

This year, officers are asking people to shop a drink or drug driver by dialling 999 if they see them getting behind the wheel or texting the word 'drunk' to 81819 and giving the driver's details.

Chief Inspector John Holt of the operations and roads policing unit said: “This is an excellent result so far and sends a clear message to people that our officers are out there and are determined to catch offenders.

“We want people to have a safe and crime-free Christmas and New Year. Anyone who intends to drive should remember there is no safe limit for drinking - except not drinking at all.”