The summer drink-drive campaign launch. L-R Chief Inspector Ruari Hardy, PC Andy Simon, Peter Grange of Offshore International Advertising, and Alcohol Strategy co-ordinator Andrea Nightingale

ATTEMPTS to launch the summer anti drink-drive campaign with a bang failed on Saturday. A planned fly-by from a plane towing a giant banner was called off after it suffered a technical fault.

The hiccup came as increasing concerns were being raised about the cost of the stunt and its effectiveness. The campaign is a partnership between Guernsey Police, advertising agency Offshore International and the Drug and Alcohol Strategy.

Despite requests from the Guernsey Press, the exact cost of the flight has not been released. Offshore responded: ‘This year’s summer and Christmas campaigns will be implemented within the same budget used in previous years due to the advertising agency providing its services for free along with additional media space.’

Airads, based in Kent, offers an entry level package for a 32-character banner of £350 an hour, plus VAT.