Sussex traffic police say they will redouble their efforts after disappointing Christmas drink-drive figures.

Officers carried out 1,000 breath tests, of which 61 - or six per cent - proved positive, about the national average.

Of the 326 motorists tested after collisions, 31 were found to be over the limit, a slight rise on previous years.

On the plus side, the number of injury accidents was slightly down, but that is little consolation to the police.

Superintendent Jim Hammond, head of the force traffic division, said: "I am annoyed. People are still drinking and driving and it means we will be redoubling our efforts.

"Our campaign will continue through the year with checks in the mornings, lunchtimes and evenings."

Mr Hammond did not support the theory that chaos on the railways was partly to blame for an increase in the drink-drive statistics.

He said: "Everyone knows the law and how socially unacceptable drink-driving is nowadays. There is no excuse."

Despite a hard-hitting advertising campaign, more motorists nationally were caught over the limit.

More than seven per cent failed breath tests compared with 6.5 per cent in 1999/2000.

The number of road deaths in Sussex is falling - there were 91 last year compared with 97 in 1999/2000.

Mr Hammond said: "That is still 91 too many but the figure is in line with our target.

"And early indications are that there has been a reduction in the number of serious and slight injury accidents last year.

"This bucks the national trend, so we are heading in the right direction."