EIGHT people including a woman from the Cotswolds were arrested in the third week of the Christmas drink-drive crackdown.

Of those arrested between Monday, December 16 and Sunday, December 22 five have been charged and are now facing a possible driving ban to start the New Year.

Kevin Roseblade, Roads Policing Inspector, said: “One person drink driving is one too many but these results are encouraging as the number is about half of what we have seen in the first two weeks.

“Our key message this year is very simple – eat, think and be merry.”

Councillor Will Windsor-Clive, Cabinet member for fire at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “It is always disappointing when people drink and drive – putting their own and others’ safety at risk, as well as their livelihoods.

“But it is encouraging to see the figures are down for the last week and I hope this is a trend which continues as we enter Christmas week.”

Jeanette Dawn Small, aged 54 of Cutsdean, near Temple Guiting was arrested in Rye Close, Bourton, on Tuesday, December 17.

She is due to appear before magistrates in Cheltenham on Wednesday, February 5.

Christopher Graham Keightley, 39, of Mitton Court, Tewkesbury, was arrested in Tewkesbury on December 20. He will appear before magistrates in Stroud on Wednesday, February 6.