The number of motorists arrested for Christmas drink-driving is already higher than last year.

Latest figures for the Shoreham Traffic Division, from Worthing to Rottingdean, show 380 arrests between December 1 and 15, 30 more than the same period in 2000.

The Christmas drink-drive arrest figures are calculated until two days after the New Year.

Officers have been stepping up roadside safety checks, sealing off the main exits to towns and villages.

Sgt Mark Geer, who was responsible for this weekend's checks, said: "It is disappointing the number of arrests are up on last year and that the don't drink and drive message is not getting through to some people.

"Although we had only one arrest in the Brighton area on Friday night there have been occasions this year when we have had up to eight arrests in one night in one particular area."

Officers set up three security checks in Brighton and Hove on Friday night at exit points from the city.

They were on the A259 just before the Rottingdean traffic lights, Preston Road, Preston Circus, Brighton, and Dyke Road Avenue, Hove.

Special attention was paid to Rottingdean where there were three checks and a police car patrolling the side streets.

Sgt Geer said: "We have had a particularly high number of drink drivers arrested in Rottingdean. We know the routes some drivers take from various pubs in the village."

Police officers funnelled vehicles into one lane and picked out cars at random, asking drivers: "Have you had any alcohol in the past 24 hours?"

The officers, who have had special training in how to spot drink-drivers, breath tested those they thought had been drinking.

A total of 350 cars were stopped on Friday night and 35 drivers were breath tested. There was one arrest for drink driving and one for suspected drug-related offences.

Police officers targeted Horsham and Haywards Heath on Saturday night.

Sgt Geer said: "The message is simply don't drink and drive if you value your driving licence."