With road deaths from boozing motorists soaring in the Thames Valley, police have laid on additional patrols in the area, and are appealing for tip offs from publicans to help cut alcohol-related road deaths.

Over the last two weeks, at least 10 motorists have been pulled up at the Halfway Inn, Kintbury, from a patrol car lying in wait at the bus stop just to the east. Pubgoers at The Four Points pub in Aldworth – another popular Sunday lunch destination – have also reported increased patrols.

Head of Thames Valley roads policing Supt Neil Olney said: “During the summer, the pub gardens are popular and some people may be tempted to push the limit.

“However, we test drivers at collision sites as a matter of course, and we will stop motorists who are driving erratically, and act on information we receive about drink-drivers. It’s not worth the risk to yourself and others to drink and drive.”

There were 131 drink drive crashes on Thames Valley roads in the first three months of the year, with 21 in the Reading, Wokingham and West Berkshire traffic police area. The campaign will run until July, and will be backed up with posters in pubs.