POLICE have warned motorists that they could go over the drink-drive limit – even after they’ve stopped drinking.

Because many festive foods are laced with alcohol, they say people need to be wary of going over the limit by eating too much.

A consumer website said because many people microwave the desserts instead of boiling or steaming them, less alcohol evaporates meaning people consume more.

One Christmas pudding on sale in York is 21.5 per cent alcohol, meaning a typical portion would include the same amount of alcohol as a standard pub spirits measure – even before brandy butter or flaming brandy are considered.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “Any food or drink that contains alcohol will have an influence on the amount of alcohol that they take in. Our advice remains the same; if you intend to drive, don’t consume any alcohol, whether it be a drink or hidden in food.”