A police chief has slammed the "staggering arrogance'' of a hard core of drink-drivers who put the lives of others at risk.

Cleveland's Assistant Chief Constable Adam Briggs said: "What is worse despite repeated campaigns about the dangers of taking drink and drugs there are still people who believe it will not affect their judgement or capabilities when they get behind a wheel.

"It is a staggering arrogance that these people put not only their lives in danger but quite often the lives of innocent road users.''

In a three day blitz earlier this month, 57 drivers were stopped and checked on Teesside; seven tested positive for alcohol. None tested positive for drugs.

Over the same period 2,300 drivers tested positive across Europe, with 273 people tested positive for alcohol and ten for drugs in the United Kingdom.

Mr Briggs said: "In Cleveland we have a year round enforcement policy to target those who drink or take drugs and drive. We are determined to take such people off the road. These figures show that our determination is also matched in Europe.

"All police forces are working together to tackle this problem. Sadly, there are always some drivers who fail to take heed of the warnings. They should realise that once caught they will be banned and have at least a year to think about the consequences. Losing a licence could affect both job and family. It is simply not worth the risk.''