Traffic police in North Yorkshire, fresh from a successful Christmas drink-drive blitz when they stopped motorists at random, today launched phase two of their crackdown.

Extra patrols are on the look-out for morning-after drink-drivers from as early as 6am to remove potential killers from the county's roads.

They will also be out in force at closing time and through the night.

Members of the public who are suspicious that a motorist has been drinking - or who know a drink-driver who regularly flouts the law - were today urged to contact police.

Two motorists have appeared in court following tip-offs from the public about motorists drink-driving in Cornlands Road, Acomb, and Selby town centre.

Sergeant Mick Crome, of York police, said that if you went to bed drunk, you could still be unfit to drive when setting off for work the next day.

"The body loses alcohol at a slow rate and you could still be over the limit the next morning if you have been out drinking late," he said.

"It won't take much to put you back over the limit if you have a drink at lunchtime the next day."

Sgt Crome said officers would carry out spot checks on any vehicles which attracted their attention, not only in built-up areas, but also on rural roads.

"Vehicles with lights out, vehicles that are weaving or being driven erratically will all be stopped," he said.

In total, 25,400 motorists were stopped at roadblocks on major roads and in villages in the York, Selby and Tadcaster areas during the pre-Christmas leafleting campaign.

Officers carried out 36 breath tests after becoming suspicious that drivers had been drinking, but none was positive.

* A man is on police bail awaiting the result of a blood test following an alleged hit-and-run in Water Lane, York, on Christmas Eve, which left one person with slight injuries.

Two people have appeared in court charged with drink-driving after two accidents near Selby on December 21 and 22.