A DRINK driver who was over twice the limit has been banned from driving for 17 months.

Worcester Magistrates Court heard that police officer were out patrolling the A44 on July 8 when they saw a Seat Leon being driven erratically.

The car was stopped close to the Twyford service station and the driver, Gavin Fenton of Leamington Road, Broadway, admitted he had been drinking, prosecutor Shafquat Reaz told the court.

A breath test conducted at Worcester police station gave a result of 81 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit is 35 micrograms.

The court heard that Fenton had a job as a manager with a firm that lays cables, and his employer thought so highly of his work that, not only did they provide a reference to the court, but they stated that they would give Fenton a driver during any period of disqualification, so that he could continue to work for the company.

On the day in question, Fenton, a married man with three children, he had been at a wedding and had had several drinks at the reception, but subsequently switched to soft drinks as the event continued.

As well as the disqualification, Fenton was fined £700 with £135 costs and a £70 victim surcharge.