OPERATION Holly's drink-drive figures have been described by Hampshire Constabulary as "disappointingly high" despite a drop in New Year arrests.

Figures show that Christmas drink-drive arrests were up 9.1 per cent on last year, with north and East Hampshire registering the highest number of arrests, and the 20 to 24-year age group being top in the list of culprits.

During the campaign, which ran from December 1 to January 1, 240 people were arrested on suspicion of impaired driving.

For full story, see this week's Alton Herald.