POLICE are staging a month-long clampdown on drink-driving in the warm weather.

Road policing officers across Essex will be actively enforcing the drink-drive laws throughout August, ensuring the sunshine, which encourages drinking at unusual locations and times, does not lead to any unnecessary deaths or serious injuries.

Chief Inspector Tom Diment said: "Summer is a period of fun and relaxation when people should be enjoying themselves. I'm asking those who choose to drink alcohol at social events to ensure they find someone else to drive them afterwards."

Last summer's figures showed four per cent of motorists risked someone's life after drink-driving, with 85 drivers testing positive. In August 2002, officers stopped 2,391 people throughout Essex with 3.5 per cent found to be over the legal limit.

Mr Diment said: "After all, if you're caught drink-driving, then you run the risk of losing your licence and the benefits that go with it this could ultimately be your job. Surely, it's not worth it."