Three members of the Harrison family of Blyth, Northumberland, were killed five days before Christmas 1997 when a drink-driver smashed into them.

Bryan Harrison, 38, his brother Alan, 33, and their brother-in-law Don Smith, 49, were returning home from a cycling trip.

Andrew Armstrong, who was three times over the drink-drive limit, was jailed for seven years for causing death by dangerous driving.

Peter Harrison, brother of Alan and Bryan, and Ray Walls, who survived the accident, spoke at the launch of the campaign of the devastation that drinking and driving can bring.

The government's campaign contains stark warnings

Hard-hitting advertisements, showing real alcohol-related accidents with the slogan "Don't Drink and Drive: Don't Drink and Die", will be shown on television throughout December.

Mr Harrison said: "Three generations of our family were affected by what happened that day because Alan, Bryan and Don were each more than just one person - they were connected as brothers, fathers and uncles to so many of us.

"A year on, there is no easy way of dealing with the pain and loss. Their lives were cut short but at the same time our lives and aspirations were changed."

Mr Walls said: "We hope that this Christmas won't affect any family like it affected us ... I want to get the message over not to drink and drive.

"The injuries that I sustained were quite minor compared to the others. It is something that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. If you are going to drink, do not drive."

Armstrong was three times over the limit

The accident robbed seven children of their fathers but Mr Harrison said that this year the family would be trying hard to make Christmas a happy time for them.

"You can't make them suffer for the rest of their lives, it is not fair on them," he said.

Both men say they have no feelings of hatred for Armstrong.

Mr Harrison said: "I deliberately have no feelings towards him. By not knowing him I find it impossible to hate him.

"What he did I hate and the outcome I hate."

Chief Superintendent David Warcup, of Northumbria Police, said: "There cannot be a more powerful message imaginable against drink-driving than what happened to the Harrison family.