POLICE arrested 18 people in the final nine days of the annual Christmas drink-drive crackdown in Gloucestershire, including two from the Cotswolds.

Of those arrested, 14 have been charged and are now facing a possible driving ban to start the New Year.

Wilhelm Gerhardus Englebrecht, aged 28, of Wyck Rissington, was arrested in Park Street, Stow, on Sunday, December 29 and will appear before Cheltenham Magistrates Court on Friday, February 14.

Rick Thornley, 29, of Delphi Way Waterlooville, Hampshire, was arrested in Station Road, Stow, on Monday, December 23 and will also appear at Cheltenham Magistrates Court on February 14.

Peter Creswell, 63 of Smithy Lane, Greet, was arrested on Withington Road, Cheltenham, on December 23.

The total number of arrests throughout the 2013 Christmas drink drive campaign was 57, compared with 69 last year.

Kevin Roseblade, roads policing inspector, said: “One person drink driving is one too many, however it is encouraging to see that the number of arrests has dropped significantly from last year.

“The issue of drink driving is not exclusive to the festive period and our efforts to combat this will continue throughout 2014.

“Our key message regardless of the time of year is very simple – eat, think and be merry.”