A total of 149 people have been charged with drink and drug driving following this year's Christmas crackdown by police.

The last four people arrested over the December operation were charged this week, bringing the total number to 149 out of 209 arrests.

A year ago 128 people were arrested on suspicion of drink or drug-driving as part of the Christmas campaign.

This year 104 have pleaded guilty so far and been dealt with by the courts while 45 are going through the legal system.

Samuel Pescod, 19, was arrested after his car was stopped in Greenways Crescent, Shoreham, because it was being driven without its lights on in the early hours of 1 January.

Pescod, of Old Shoreham Road, Portslade, was charged with drink-driving and released on bail to appear at Brighton Magistrates' Court on April 17.

Tara Fox, 23, was arrested after her car was stopped in Oving Road, Chichester, in the early hours of December 29.

Fox, of Greatpin Croft, Fittleworth, was charged with drink-driving and released on bail to appear at Worthing Magistrates' Court on May 20.

Darren Penney, 47, was arrested after his vehicle was involved in a crash on the A22 at Forest Row.

Penney, of Bermuda Place, Eastbourne, was charged with driving while unfit through drugs, dangerous driving, possession of cocaine, possession of cannabis and attempting to possess heroin. He was released on bail to appear at Brighton Magistrates' Court on April 24.

John Allum, 25, was arrested in Gloucester Street, Brighton, on December 14 after officers were told he could be driving while under the influence of drugs.

Allum was charged with possession of a Class B drug and released on bail to appear at Brighton Magistrates' Court on April 3.

Superintendent Jane Derrick said: "In one respect it is disappointing that the number of people who were arrested went up, as it confirms that drink and drug driving remains a problem in Sussex.

"At the same time, it shows that we are determined to tackle the problem and that we will continue to make arrests and prosecute those whose selfish behaviour makes the roads more dangerous.

"It should be remembered that drink driving is not just a problem in Sussex at Christmas and officers are out on patrol looking for offenders 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”