THE grieving father of a young Hampshire woman who died in a drink-drive crash has spoken of the devastation the collision caused his family.

The man, who has asked not to be named, has told of his horror at being told by police his 23-year-old daughter had been killed in the smash with a van last November.

She had been drinking before the crash.

Speaking as part of Hampshire police’s Don’t Get Smashed Christmas drink-drive awareness campaign, her father said: “My specific memory was the knock on the door, opening the door and seeing the police officer at our door wanting to come in.

“I remember specifically at first it seemed to me the best thing was to let me know what had happened on the spot.

“It wasn’t until he insisted more than two times that I needed to sit down that the absolute fear and shock of what was to come was going to be the reality that came out of sitting down with the police officer and explaining that our daughter was no longer with us.

“It deepened the pain of losing her even more by knowing and realising that alcohol had played a significant role in the error she made in judgement and in actions that night.

“That moment’s decision ended our life and changed our lives forever.

“We as a family have been so destroyed by this event.

“Please anyone, if you have drunk, please don’t drive.

“It’s devastating for everyone around you.”

The police's campaign is running until New Year's Day and will see officers out in force on the roads.

The public is also being urged to text a dedicated number, 80999, if they suspect someone is drink-driving.

Officers arrested 17 people on suspicion of drink-driving in the first two days of the campaign that was launched at the start of December.