A MOTORIST has been banned for more than three years for drink driving.

Jaroslav Mares (52) of Roman Way, Corbridge, appeared at South East Northumberland Magistrates' Court on Thursday where he pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle with an alcohol level above the legal limit.

It related to April 29, when he was found to have 55mg of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath after driving a Mitsubishi Carisma on Ferry Road in Hexham. The legal limit is 35mg.

He was disqualified from driving for 38 months and fined £250, and was also ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £30 victim surcharge.