HAMPSHIRE police have been hot on the heels of Christmas revellers after carrying out 6,000 breath tests this month.

The Roads Policing Unit (RPU) said it has arrested 51 people since the tests started on December 1.

Fourteen of those arrested were in northern Hampshire, which includes Winchester, and 11 in the west of the county, including Southampton.

In northern Hampshire 2,000 tests were carried out, with 1,617 in the west.

Police can only issue breath tests if they suspect drink-driving, a motorist has committed a traffic offence or someone has been involved in an accident.

East Hampshire, including the Isle of Wight, saw 21 arrests from 2,089 tests, and other RPU departments made five arrests from 396 tests.