THIS region has amongst the highest number of drink drivers in England and Wales, new figures show.

Analysis of Government data reveals that West Yorkshire is amongst the top ten worst-offending areas.

The International Driving Association has examined the statistics, which outline the number of breath alcohol tests in each region – by police force – and the percentage of those that were positive.

A total of 252,069 alcohol breath tests were recorded in England and Wales in the latest report.

West Yorkshire ranks as the seventh-worst region – 23.7 per cent of tests were positive, which equates to 1,676 out of 7,072.

South Yorkshire and Greater Manchester are also in the top ten.

Cambridgeshire has the highest percentage of positive alcohol breath tests – 33.5 per cent of tests were positive, or 2,488 out of 7,437.

Last month, the West Yorkshire force arrested more than 270 people during a week-long crackdown on drink and drug drivers.

The action was in support of a national drink and drug-driving enforcement campaign.

In total, there were 278 arrests in West Yorkshire – including 126 for driving/attempting to drive whilst unfit through drugs.

There were 81 arrests for driving/attempting to drive whilst under the influence of alcohol, and 71 arrests for failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

At the time, Chief Inspector Claire Patterson said: "This is a phenomenal number of arrests.

"Every one of these drivers is now facing losing their licence and potentially their jobs because of their choice to get behind the wheel after drinking or taking drugs.

"No matter how good a driver you think you are, the reality is that drink and drugs impair your ability to drive and by driving under the influence you are putting yourself and other road users at risk.

"During this week of action, we have highlighted the arrests made, but be assured we are taking reckless and dangerous drivers off the roads all year round."

A spokesperson for the International Driving Association said: "The legal alcohol limit for driving is 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood or 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. However, there is no way to know how much you can drink and stay under the limit.

"If you're driving, don't drink any alcohol at all, as it can seriously alter your ability to judge speed or distance, and slow your reaction."