Drink driving in the county increased by almost 10% on the previous year, according to figures from TTC Group.

A total of 1,137 people appeared before magistrates in 2005 charged with drink driving - an increase of 94 people.

Jenny Wynn, a drink-drive rehab director said one-in-five were arrested the morning after they had been drinking.

Drive to work

She attributed the increase in arrests to the extended licensing opening hours.

"Because pubs are opening later, people are drinking into the early hours and while getting a taxi home at night, they are still over the limit when driving to work the next morning," Ms Wynn said.

More than 600 people who appeared in court volunteered to attend an education course on the effects of drink-driving, in return for a quarter off their ban.

The Home Office is still assessing the full impact of the changes in licensing laws in November last year, which allowed for extended drinking hours.

She said re-offending rates have been very low.