THE owner of Pershore pub The Anchor Inn who was twice over the drink drive limit, has been given a lengthy driving ban.

Simon Stephenson, who lives at the Anchor Inn in Fladbury, admitted drink driving when he appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Prosecuting Leslie Ashton said police received a report of a crash in London Road at 6.30pm, on Tuesday, January 23.

When officers arrived they asked Stephenson, the driver of a Toyota Hilux involved in the crash, to take a roadside breath test, which he failed.

Mrs Ashton said he was taken to Worcester Police Station where he was charged with driving with 81mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath in his system, the legal limit being 35mcg.

Defending Mark Turnbull said the accident had been a low speed bump on the approach to the roundabout, and he was asked to take the test by police as it was automatic procedure.

Mr Turnbull explained Stephenson had finished work and then gone into Evesham to go to the bank, but bumped into a friend and went for a drink.

"Unfortunately that turned into one too many," Mr Turnbull said.

"He felt fine when he left the pub.

"Unfortunately he got into the car, driving toward Worcester.

"He understands he will be disqualified."

Mr Turnbull highlighted he was a man of no previous convictions.

After being asked by magistrates Mr Turnbull clarified Stephenson was a publican, adding that clearly the disqualification would have a knock on effect in the running of the pub which employs around seven people.

Mr Turnbull appealed for the length of the ban to kept down.

Magistrates gave Stephenson a driving ban of 19 months. and fined him £230.

He was ordered to pay costs of £135 and a victim surcharge of £30 - a total of £395, which he has to pay in full within 28 days.

Stephenson was offered the drink drive awareness court, which if he successful completes with reduce the ban by 19 weeks.

Magistrates warned him if he drove his vehicle again, before he gets his licence back, he would be in serious trouble and would face prosecution.