The Bath Chronicle has mounted a staunch front page defence of its pioneering campaign against drink-driving.

The paper has pursued a name-and-shame policy against motorists who take to the wheel while over the limit.

During the past three years scores of drink-drivers have found photographers waiting for them as they emerge from the city’s magistrates court – with more than 20 of the most serious offenders getting front page treatment.

Other newspapers have since launched similar campaigns to highlight the anti-social nature of the offence.

Editor David Gledhill said: “Of course it is unpopular in certain quarters – it is meant to be.

“To some people, appearing in court is one thing – to have it reported in the paper and all your friends, neighbours and colleagues getting to know about it, is quite another.

“The message is simple – if you don’t want your picture in the paper next to our campaign logo, then don’t drink and drive.”

The Chronicle’s decision to name and shame a prominent local vet who was banned after his second drink-drive offence sparked an angry backlash in its letters pages.

But the paper has hit back with an interview with the mother of a 21-year-old killed by a drink-driver.

Under the headline Are we too tough on drink drivers? Just ask this mum, the paper splashed on the views of Judith Hewitt – who told readers the pain of losing her 21-year-old son was as raw today as it was when he died in a motorway accident nearly two-and-a-half years ago.

Student Mark had been on his way home to see his parents when he was involved in a six-vehicle smash on the M5.

He survived a collision with one car only to be mown down by another as he tried to make his way to the safety of the hard shoulder.

The drink driver responsible for causing Mark’s death was jailed for four years.

The Chronicle campaign has also been backed by police, city MP Don Foster and a pressure group set up by the families of drink-drive victims.

It launched its Don’t Drink and Drive campaign in December 2000, and the paper’s stance has been credited with bringing down the festive drink-drive toll.

Police are now recommending the Chronicle for a crime prevention award.

Divisional commander Superintendent Mike Greedy said: “The Chronicle has consistently ensured that the message that drink-driving is simply not acceptable has gone out loud and clear.

“I have no doubt that its campaign has saved lives by keeping drink-drivers off the road.”

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