TEN people have so far been arrested in Ryedale for drink and drug-driving offences this month.

The 10 are among 100 offenders in the wider North Yorkshire area who have been arrested in the first three weeks of the police's summer blitz on drink and drug-driving.

The figure is 28 per cent higher than at the same stage of last year's campaign, the force said.

Of the 100 arrested so far, 83 are men and 17 are women. Thirty-one of the arrests were for drug-driving, and the rest for drink-driving.

The highest reading of the campaign so far is still that given by a 45-year-old woman stopped in Princess Road, Malton, who gave a breath-test reading of 150mcg of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath - more than four times the legal limit of 35mg.

Sgt Andy Morton of the force's Roads Policing Group said: "As the campaign continues our determination to get dangerous drink and drug drivers off the road is as strong as ever.

"We’ve now made 100 arrests and with two and half weeks of the campaign still to go, sadly I believe this figure will continue to climb.

"As the number of arrests already made clearly shows, North Yorkshire Police are out on the roads and we are looking for those who break the law.

"If you choose to drive under the influence of drink or drugs, we are out there and we will catch you. You will face a court appearance, a hefty fine, a driving ban and the possibility of a prison sentence."

Of the 100 arrests so far, there were 23 in Scarborough and 22 in York. In York, a 28-year-old man gave a reading of 108 microgrammes when he was stopped at Clifton Moor, and is due in court next week.

One of the latest prosecutions was that of Stuart Pilkington, 52, from Brompton, Northallerton. He was arrested on June 10 and gave a breathalyser reading of 128.

He pleaded guilty at Northallerton Magistrates Court and was given a 12-week prison sentenced, suspended for two years, and was given a three-year driving ban. He was also ordered to pay £200 in related costs and charges.

Sgt Morton urged anyone with information about someone driving under the influence of drink or drugs to phone police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.