AFTER all the warnings, it seems difficult to believe that there are still so many people prepared to put their lives - and those of other road users - at risk by drink-driving.

AFTER all the warnings, it seems difficult to believe that there are still so many people prepared to put their lives - and those of other road users - at risk by drink-driving.

Today we report on the cases of seven people who appeared in court charged with excess alcohol offences - and incredibly some of these were being caught for that offence for the second or third time.

There is clearly a hard-core of drivers who do not understand or could not care about the dangers of drink-driving.

With Christmas Day only 48 hours away, those who appeared in court yesterday will be contemplating a car-less 2009 at the very least.

And for others this Christmas will be a very bleak affair because of the actions of drink-drivers.

For Phil and Amanda Peak in Manchester there will be no joy this festive season. They won't be able to avoid thinking about their two sons wiped out by drink-drive goalkeeper Luke McCormick as he drove home from the wedding of Ipswich Town star David Norris.

That story affected people across the country, but not - it seems - the idiots who appeared in court yesterday.

As they spend this Christmas with their families they will probably be feeling very miserable at the loss of their driving licences.

In fact they should be feeling very happy that they played Russian Roulette with the roads . . . and won.

They haven't killed or been killed. And when you're a convicted drink driver then that's a result.

IN these dark days of recession any expansion of an important industry must be good news - creating welcome jobs for engineering workers and improving the job security for its own employees.

So the expansion of Felixstowe port is good news for the whole area.

The work will inevitably cause noise and disruption - but the engineers are doing all they can to ensure the nuisance is minimised as far as possible.

Noisy piling work will be underway for several months - but the engineers are promising they will avoid night-time work and will also ensure it is quiet on Sundays and on Saturday afternoons.

A special acoustic fence is being put to try to reduce the disruption.

Some people will inevitably be disturbed by the noise over the next six months - but at least it is a clear indication of the continued prosperity of the port during these tough economic times.

JACKY Smith is an Ipswich Town nut - and has been supporting the club for years.

But as Motor Neurone Disease attacks her body she was determined to see her favourite team in action again - so was delighted when a special trip was arranged to the Ricoh Arena for the match against Coventry City.

For her the 2-2 with the Sky Blues was like having Christmas come early, and the icing on the cake was the chance to meet her heroes.

Jacky has a huge battle ahead of her - but at least she has the memory of a wonderful day thanks to Jim Magilton and his team.