POLICE today urged people to 'stop or shop' boozy motorists before they kill someone on the county's roads.

The hard-hitting message came as Dorset Police launched its Christmas and New Year drink-driving campaign.

Officers will be manning a special hotline - (0500) 502999 - to take calls about drivers suspected of being over the limit.

Today Angela Hearn, whose baby son Jonathan was killed by a drink driver, backed the campaign.

Mrs Hearn, of Littlemoor, Weymouth, said: "Drink driving kills. I know from experience because my son was killed by a drink driver. I would urge people to think of the consequences and not to drink any alcohol if they are driving. That applies at Christmas and all the year round - Jonathan was killed later in the year."

Traffic police officer Sergeant Andy Dixon said: "The consequences of drinking and driving can be horrific. Remember, the victim of the driver who drinks alcohol could be someone you love. Help us keep the roads - and your loved ones - safe this Christmas."

Dorset Police has joined forces with the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions to set up the hotline.

Police will target motorists throughout the day and night as well as 'morning after' people who are still over the limit driving the next morning.

The Christmas campaign runs until New Year's Eve with the message 'shop a drink driver'.

Mrs Hearn's son Jonathan was three months old when his pram was hit by a drink driver in Weymouth's Littlemoor Road.

Mrs Hearn, who works at Weymouth College, said: "Drink drivers are of all ages, but we need to educate young people before they get into bad habits."

Sgt Dixon said: "If you are driving, don't drink any alcohol. Drinking and driving is one Christmas tradition we can do without."

"The campaign reinforces our year-round commitment to reducing drinking and driving on Dorset roads. We want to reduce the carnage such dangerous and anti-social behaviour can cause."

Police advise people to: Only drink soft drinks if driving

Arrange a taxi or nominate a driver who will stick to soft drinks on a night out

Do not encourage drivers to have a drink - that drink could be the one that kills

A total of 125 people were arrested throughout Dorset for driving under the influence of alcohol during the 1999/2000 campaign - a 16 per cent rise on the previous year.

To report a drink driver call 999 or the hotline on (0500) 502999.