More than 1,200 drivers were stopped as part of a countywide crackdown on drink-driving in the run-up to Christmas.

In Trowbridge, police were stationed on the A361 in Paxcroft Mead and on the Trinity Church roundabout from 6.30pm to midnight last Thursday.

They stopped 335 drivers and carried out 334 breath tests, resulting in two fixed penalty notices for driving offences.

They also issued 18 verbal warning to drivers in Trowbridge whose cars had lighting defects, despite this month’s dark mornings and early evenings.

The day of action was part of Operation Harness, a long-term project aimed at targeting crimes which affect local communities the most.

As well as in Trowbridge, police officers were stationed at stop points in Salisbury, Chippenham and Swindon and across the county 1,143 drivers were breathalysed.

All of the breath tests were negative, but two people were arrested, one for driving whilst unfit through drugs and one for driving a stolen vehicle.

Earlier in the morning officers also assisted community speed watch volunteers at 16 sites across the country, including Sandy Lane near Calne.

Inspector Steve Cox, head of the Roads Policing Unit, said it was reassuring that none of the drivers stopped had a positive breath test reading.

He said: “We want people to enjoy themselves at Christmas, but we want them to stay safe, and that means using public transport or having a nominated driver to get people home safely.

“Sadly, we heard the terrible details at an inquest this week about the deaths of two teenage girls on the A419 in the summer. Unfortunately alcohol was involved in that accident which also left three others with serious injuries.”