NEARLY 200 people were arrested on suspicion of drink-driving on Hampshire roads during December.

Latest figures revealed by Hampshire Constabulary show a total of 196 people were arrested for drink-driving offences in from December 1 - 29.

Last year 174 people were arrested during the same period - 22 less than this year.

Out of those arrested 167 were men and 29 were women.

The oldest man arrested on suspicion of drink-driving was 82 while the youngest was 17.

A total of 35 people were arrested in the Southampton area alone - the highest amount of arrests in the county.

East Hants and Winchester saw 23 arrests, while police swooped to arrest 20 people in Fareham and Gosport.

There were 12 arrests made in the Eastleigh and Romsey area, nine in the New Forest, and 12 on the Isle of Wight.

However it is not known if any of the arrests were made the morning after a night out.

The increase in arrests will come as a disappointment for the force on the back of its hard-hitting Is It Worth The Risk? anti-drink and drug driving campaign.

The campaign, which ran throughout December, focused on the tragic story of Evey Staley, who was killed in a car crash caused by a drink-driver on the Isle of Wight.

As reported, the Staley family were driving to the shops when their car was hit by another car driven by Robert Blakeley, who was two and a half times over the drink-drive limit and had been smoking cannabis.

Evey died as a result of her injuries and her parents, Neal and Penny, suffered serious injuries.

Her parents appeared in an emotional interview as part of the campaign detailing the devastating impact Evey's death has had on family and friends.

A purple ribbon became the icon of the campaign and has been worn by people and police officers across the county to raise awareness of the dangers associated with drink and drug driving.

The wreckage of the Staley family's car was also exhibited across the county to give members of the public a sobering reminder of the impact it has on lives.