The number of Christmas drink-drivers in Sussex has been slashed by more than half, figures have revealed.

The announcement bucks the national trend, which shows a 15 per cent increase.

Only 13 motorists gave positive breath tests during the holiday period in the county from December 18 to January 2.

This compares with 31 last year, although fewer tests were carried out.

Police asked 246 drivers to provide breath samples after accidents compared with 326 last year.

The bad news was that there were more injury accidents over the period - 204 compared with 144.

Sussex Police spokesman Chris Oswick, said: "It is difficult to draw much from a single year's figures but if they indicate an improving trend then that is excellent news.

"However, there remains this core of drivers who drink and put their lives and those of others at risk.

"Our efforts to identify and prosecute them will continue all year round."

Nationally, the number of drink drivers rose by 166 (15 per cent), bringing the total to just under 1,250.