A PENSIONER has been banned from the road for more than four years after he was caught drink-driving for the third time.

Daniel Drury, of Wormelow, Herefordshire, pleaded guilty to drink-driving and driving with an expired licence when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford.

Prosecutor Nicola Ritchie said police were called at 11.20pm on September 14 after another motorist following Drury along the A4137 towards the A40 became concerned by his erratic driving.

The witness said 83-year-old Drury's speed had varied from 30 to 60 miles per hour, before slowing to a stop as he approached the A40.

Drury was found slumped across the centre console of his Skoda Yeti in a layby near Glewstone.

Police said he smelled of alcohol and was unsteady on his feet when he got out of the car.

A roadside breath test revealed he had 98 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 micrograms.

In interview, Drury said he had spent the evening in town and could not remember how much wine he had drunk.

He said he had intended to take a taxi home, but had then changed his mind.

Speaking in his own defence, Drury told the court he did not have much recollection of driving that night and he felt that he was losing time, for which he is seeking medical help.

He said he did not realise that his licence was expired.

Drury was disqualified from driving for 50 months and fined £200. He must pay costs of £135 and a £32 victim surcharge.