Drug-drive arrests have soared up to 800% in the 12 months since new laws were introduced, the Department for Transport (DfT) has claimed.

Legal driving limits were laid down for 17 prescription and illegal drugs on March 2 last year.

There is virtually zero tolerance for drivers apprehended with illegal substances such as heroin, cocaine and cannabis in their system.

The DfT published provisional figures from Cheshire police which show its officers arrested more than 530 suspected drug-drivers from March 2015 to last month, up from just 70 in the whole of 2014.

A spokesman for the department said forces had been given an additional £1m to train officers, purchase drug-screening equipment and pay for samples to be analysed.

Under the new regulations, police can use 'drugalyser' swabs to screen for cannabis and cocaine at the roadside.

Tests for these and other drugs such as ecstasy, LSD and ketamine can also be carried out at a police station even if a driver passes the roadside check.

The prescription drugs for which legal levels have been set include morphine and methadone, although people using these drugs within recommended amounts are not penalised.

During the Christmas 2015 anti drink and drug-drive campaign, 1,888 drug-screening tests were carried out in just one month across England and Wales. Nearly 50% of these resulted in a positive result, according to the DfT.

Roads minister Andrew Jones said: 'Thanks to our tougher law, police are catching and convicting more dangerous drivers.

'The Ggovernment will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with police as they work tirelessly to protect the public while recognising enforcement alone is not the answer.'

To coincide with the first anniversary of the new laws a Government road safety THINK! campaign is being launched in cinemas, on radio and online to highlight the effectiveness of the roadside swab.

An AA survey of more than 26,000 UK motorists found that 88% support the increased action against drug-drivers.

AA president Edmund King claimed it was remarkable that the crackdown on drug-driving has rallied this level of public support so quickly.

'It took decades for drink-driving to become as socially unacceptable as it is now,' he said.

'Drug-driving is often the hidden killer on UK roads. We need to make it as anti-social as drink-driving. The new law and greater enforcement will help achieve this.'

Neil Greig, director of policy and research at road safety charity the Institute of Advanced Motorists, described the new law as 'one of the most successful road safety measures in the last 10 years'.

He added: 'With 12 months of experience now under their belts, police forces are clearly finding the new equipment and limits a very useful tool.'