The money is being offered by the charity Crimestoppers in a new nationwide scheme attempting to cut accidents over the festive period.

The trust says tip-offs will be passed on to traffic police, without the name of the informer being given.

Rewards will be given for information which leads to an arrest and charge.

If you saw somebody who was about to commit some sort of serious assault or rape, you would expect a member of the public to report it Ron Jessup, Campaign Against Drinking and Driving

Anyone actually witnessing someone who has been drinking get into a car and drive should call 999, Crimestoppers urges.

Its number should be used to report only people who regularly drink and drive.

Ron Jessup from the Campaign Against Drinking and Driving, whose daughter Penny was killed by a drunk driver, welcomed the scheme.

"If it encourages people to act more responsibly and report people who are quite clearly a danger, then I think that's very sensible," he told BBC Radio 5.

"In many ways it will be no different than any other crime.

"If you saw somebody who was about to commit some sort of serious assault or rape, or is brandishing a weapon, then you would expect a member of the public to report it to the authorities."

Fines and jail

Last Christmas, 8% of drivers breath-tested after accidents were over the limit - a sharp increase on previous years.

Crimestoppers

0800 555111

The rise was blamed on persistent drink-drive offenders, and a new breed of young motorists with no comprehension of the dangers of alcohol and driving.

This year, police forces have begun their own local drink-drive campaigns - with some targeting known hotspots and others tackling drivers who are still over the limit "the morning after".

Police warn that drivers caught over the legal limit can face a fine of �2,500, up to three months in prison and a lengthy ban.

About 600 people are killed each year and thousands injured by drink-drivers.