Police across the North-East today formally launched their crackdown on drink-driving in December.

Durham, Cleveland and Northumbria police forces have thrown their weight behind a joint awareness campaign.

Police were joined yesterday by firefighters, representatives of the North-East Air Ambulance, a doctor from Bishop Auckland General Hospital, a nurse, a consultant and a barrister, to drive their point home.

Throughout the three force areas this Christmas, traffic officers will be concentrating on particular pubs and routes where they have had tip-offs from the public as drink-drive hotspots.

Acting Chief Insp Dave Hammond, head of traffic for Durham Constabulary, said: "If you drink and drive you might need to be cut free by firefighters, airlifted to hospital by the helicopter and then treated by the Accident and Emergency specialists.

"Then if you are held to blame for what happened you could end up in court, defended by a barrister if it was a serious case.

"All our campaigns are aimed at preventing people getting behind the wheel when they are in no fit state to drive.

"But if motorists ignore our advice they must be prepared to face the consequences."

Hundreds of posters have been produced featuring images of the emergency services, nurse and doctor, along with the description of them as "the team you don't want to meet".

They will be displayed throughout the region, including bus shelters, hospitals and fast-food outlets.

Thousands of beer mats printed with the same message will also be distributed. * On Monday, the Government launched its awareness campaign at Preston Park Museum at Stockton, also warning about the implications for anyone convicted of drink driving.