A charge against a suspected drug-driver has been dropped after a "procedural failure" with a blood sample.

Thomas Bebb, 19, appeared at Welshpool Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, July 2, where he was told by the Crown Prosecution Service that his case had been withdrawn.

It emerged that not enough blood had been taken from Mr Bebb for two samples: one for the police and the other for Mr Bebb if he wanted to challenge the results.

Mr Bebb was accused of driving a Vauxhall Corsa in Middletown, near Welshpool on January 8 with 3.6 microgrammes of cannabis metabolite Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol per litre of blood. The legal limit is two.

Prosecutor Helen Tench told the court: "The defendant was charged with an offence of driving whilst blood sample taken unfortunately there was insufficient blood taken from the defendant for specimen to be split.

"There was no actual second sample. The crown seeks to withdraw the matter."

Cynthia McVey, chair of the magistrates' bench, said: "There was a procedural failure in this case. Instead of two samples taken there was only one therefore this case cannot proceed. You are therefore free to go."

Mr Bebb, of Wattlesborough Heath, Shrewsbury, was granted costs from central funds following the dismissal of his case.