Police increased their efforts to stop drink drivers during the festive period

Police stopped 852 drink-drivers, a further 29 who were classed too drunk even to take the test, and 27 who were unfit through drug use.

Last year they stopped 758 drink-drivers and another 40 who were unfit to drive through drink or drugs.

Officers also claimed they stopped a significant number of repeat offenders.

One 19-year-old disqualified driver caught drink-driving in Lochgelly, Fife, on 23 December was stopped again six days later - this time for driving while impaired through drug use.

Another 35-year-old man stopped in Gorebridge, Midlothian, for driving under the influence of drugs had been stopped for the same offence the previous day.

Police disappointed

Chief Constable John Vine, of the Association of Chief Police Officers Scotland (Acpos), said he was disappointed the figures had gone up despite a seasonal campaign that ran from 6 December to 3 January warning drivers of the dangers.

"We feared many of the drivers we would catch would be repeat offenders and that has proven to be the case," he added.

"The festive campaign is over but the communities of Scotland want these people targeted and arrested. Scotland's police will continue to work hard to do this."

Strathclyde had the highest total of drink drivers with 391 found to be under the influence. Lothian and Borders Police stopped 105 drink-drivers, and Grampian stopped 101.

This year's total included 21 drivers arrested after calls by the public to the Crimestoppers hotline.