Early-morning motorists will be stopped by police cracking down on West Midlands drivers who get behind the wheel after a heavy night drinking.

Some traffic units in the region are planning to run operations before first light as well as in the daytime as part of the force’s annual festive blitz.

Walsall’s road policing unit is among the first to change tactics.

Traffic officers want to target drivers who drink late into the night then get behind the wheel the next morning – while still over the limit.

Figures released today show no motorists were arrested for drink drive offences during checks carried out on 699 drivers on the busy A34 Birmingham Road, at the Skip Lane junction, in Great Barr.

Inspector Clive Isherwood, of Walsall road policing unit, said: “The latest results at this moment in time are pleasing, however, we should not be complacent – we’ve still got the New Year weekend to come.”

Early-morning checks, could take place at around 6am and 7am.