The driver of a car that was seen swerving on a road, nearly hitting a hedge has been banned from driving for more than three years.

Paul Whiteman, 54, claimed he had was on his way to help a friend in "significant distress" but didn't think about how much alcohol he had drunk before getting behind the wheel.

Police stopped the Manchester man on the A483 near Aberbechan, between Newtown and Abermule, during the early hours of Thursday, September 26.

A test revealed he had 72 microgammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, which was more than twice the legal limit for driving with alcohol in his system.

COURT NEWS | 'Harsh lesson' for Newtown woman after losing licence for drug driving

Whiteman pleaded guilty to drink driving when he appeared in the dock at Welshpool Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, October 15.

Prosecutor Helen Tench told the court that Whiteman, who has previous convictions including drink driving, was stopped by police after they noticed his Vauxhall Corsa was swerving on double white lines and nearly hit a hedgerow. Officers noted a smell of intoxicants, and the driver was slurring his words.

In mitigation, Robert Hanratty said: "Mr Whiteman received a message from a friend in significant distress and went to their aid without thinking how much alcohol he had consumed.

COURT NEWS | Man denies walking XL Bully dog without muzzle in Newtown parks

"He was very cooperative with police; there was no messing around. He entered a guilty plea at the earliest opportunity.

"Mr Whiteman is in fulltime employment and clearly finding it very difficult to make ends meet.

"He feels he’s let himself down and others with this rash decision on the day in question."

Magistrates disqualified Whiteman, of Middletown Road, Manchester, from driving for 40 months but was offered to complete a self-funded drink driving course to reduce the ban by 40 weeks. He must also pay the court £645 which includes a £400 fine.