North Yorkshire police today announced free drinks for drivers - to cut the number of motorists over the limit on the county's roads.

Twelve pubs in the area are taking part in the Nominated Driver Scheme in which drinkers can nominate one person in their group to be driver and stay off the alcohol in exchange for free soft drinks all night.

The driver collects a badge on arrival at the bar and for each round of drinks bought, he or she will be entitled to a non-alcoholic drink on the house.

North Yorkshire Chief Constable David Kenworthy warned today that nationally 540 people were killed in alcohol related road accidents last year alone.

"That figure is a damming indictment of the idiot minority who still have the arrogance to drink and drive," he said.

"The responsible majority must continue to show these fools how to have a good summer's evening out without mixing alcohol and driving.

"The Nominated Drinker Scheme is an excellent way to save lives and a perfect complement to a pleasant summer."

York Traffic Constable Martin Hemenway added: "Drinking and driving is sociably unacceptable. It causes enormous grief and hardship.

"If you go into a pub or restaurant and see this scheme running, give it a try - it has to be better than taking the risk.

"Show that you are better than those who couldn't care less."

Pubs participating are:

The Fox and Roman, Tadcaster Road, York,

The Crown Inn, Boroughbridge,

The Dormouse, Shipton Road, York,

The Blacksmiths Arms, Naburn,

The Lord Nelson, Nether Poppleton,

The Cross Keys, Main Street, Dunnington,

The White Horse, Upper Poppleton,

The Flying Legends, Clifton Moor,

Riverside Farm public house, Skelton,

The Lord Collingwood, Upper Poppleton,

The White Swan, Deighton

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