A COUNTY councillor has been banned from the roads for drink-driving.

Ian Hutchinson, who represents the Haltwhistle ward, admitted one count of driving a motor vehicle when above the legal alcohol limit when he appeared at South East Northumberland Magistrates' Court 

The court heard Cllr Hutchinson was driving on Plessey Avenue in Blyth on February 13 this year when he was found to have 48mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.

The legal limit is 35mcg.

The 71-year-old, of Hunter Avenue, Blyth, was disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined £288.

He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £115 victim surcharge.

Cllr Hutchinson has resigned from his position as chair of the licensing committee, a spokesman for Northumberland County Council confirmed.

Speaking via a spokesman, Cllr Hutchinson told the Local Democracy Service: "This was out of character. I totally apologise for my behaviour. This incident took place close to my home."