Motorists who drink and drive this Christmas are being warned there will be nowhere to hide.

That is the message as police in Norfolk and Suffolk launch their annual Christmas drink-drive campaign tomorrow.

The police forces are working together to provide a visible presence day and night, seven days a week, as festive celebrations begin.

Figures for Norfolk and Suffolk show that, in terms of injury collisions involving alcohol, between April 1, 2011, and March 3, 2012, there were eight deaths, 46 serious injuries and 110 slight injuries.

Norfolk's assistant chief constable Charlie Hall said: 'There will be nowhere for drink-drivers to hide this Christmas and New Year, and no excuses.

'Officers will be on patrol in both counties from December 1 onwards, with the specific tasking to stop any driver who causes them concern, whether it be as a result of their manner of driving or because their car has a defect. They will then carry out a breath test as appropriate. All drivers involved in collisions will also be tested.

'Whilst officers from the new joint Roads Policing Unit are leading this initiative, every single uniformed officer in Norfolk and Suffolk will be taking part.

'We want everyone to think twice before getting into their car, whether it be after a night out, on the way to work the next morning, or after a pub lunch or visiting friends and relatives – officers will be on duty and will stop and breath test you.'

During last year's Christmas drink- drive campaign, 5,958 drivers were breath tested and 185 tested positive.

peter.walsh@archant.co.uk