STATISTICS on drink driver arrests reveal that the youngest person caught over the limit in Cheshire was just 14-years-old.

The teenager, caught in 2009, was among 35 under 16-year-olds arrested by officers between 2008-2013.

The youngest nationally was an 11-year-old caught by Thames Valley Police 2011.

Between 2008-2013 in Cheshire there were 136 arrests of under 18s.

Dave Nichols, spokesman for Brake, the road safety charity, said: “These are appalling figures for Cheshire.

“To see people under the age of 16, including a 14-year-old, driving illegally, while drunk, is shocking.

“Drink driving is an incredibly dangerous activity no matter who you are, whether you are under 16 or over 61.

“Drinking any amount of alcohol before driving dramatically increases your risk of crashing and killing or seriously injuring yourself or others.”

The figures were obtained via a Freedom of Information request by in-car camera provider, Nextbase.

Nextbase spokesman Bryn Brooker said: "Uninsured drivers on UK roads pose a huge threat to the safety of the vast majority of responsible motorists, and pedestrians.

“These threats come in many forms and today’s findings go to show that it’s not just those who illegally choose not to buy insurance.

“Motorists have to be aware of such threats and take appropriate measures to mitigate the risk.”

A Department for Transport spokesman said: "Tackling drink-driving is a priority for the Government and we are taking steps to strengthen enforcement, including allowing roadside breath tests to be used as evidence in prosecutions and removing the statutory right of drivers to demand a blood or urine test at the police station which can give them time to sober up.

"We have also made it a requirement for convicted drink-drivers to take medical tests to prove they are no longer alcohol-dependent before being allowed to drive."

National statistics:- Average of 1,000 under 18 year-olds convicted of drink-driving per year since 2008.

Average of five underage (16 years-old or younger) drink-drivers caught each week since 2008.

In the last six years, 6,558 minors have been caught driving while intoxicated.

More than a quarter (26 per cent) of under-18 year old drink-drivers were 16 or younger.

Youngest driver caught was an 11-year-old in Thames Valley.

12-year-olds were apprehended in Manchester and Scotland.