A NORTH Yorkshire police chief whose mother-in-law was killed by a drink-driver has helped launch a major new campaign to highlight the dangers of drink in Hambleton.

Easingwold is to be among the first towns in the area to hold an awareness event to warn of the dangers of drink driving over the festive period.

The police, fire brigade, ambulance service and road safety officers have joined forces to warn motorists not to drink and drive.

A simulated car crash will be staged in Easingwold Market Place to demonstrate the dangers of drink driving, with emergency service personnel on hand to offer advice to the public.

A similar campaign last year saw 906 drivers breath tested with 56 either failing or refusing the test.

Chief Inspector Mark Davies, Hambleton district commander, whose mother-in-law was killed by a drunk driver four years ago; helped launch the campaign.

He said: "She was killed as a result of a driver having consumed a vast amount of alcohol.

"The accident happened at five o'clock on a night and she was a passenger in a vehicle that was being driven by her husband who does not drink at all and who was driving quite sensibly."

Campaigners are warning drivers to be particularly careful the morning after they have been drinking as they could still be over the limit.

Owen Hayward, group manager for the fire service in Hambleton said: "We hope that by simulating the car crash when people are out enjoying themselves in the run up to Christmas the message will get across to the right people."

The roadshow will visit Easingwold on December 5.

Updated: 10:50 Wednesday, November 26, 2003