AN AGRICULTURAL worker was found to be twice the drink-drive limit after he was spotted swerving across his lane on a busy Hereford road.

Lucas Gwilliam admitted drink-driving when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford.

Police had come across a silver Ford Fiesta in Hereford's Station Approach in the early hours of December 12, prosecutor Ralph Robyns Landricombe said.

The state of the car caught their attention and they decided to follow it, pulling it over after watching it swerving from side to side in its lane as it travelled up Aylestone Hill.

Officers spoke to Gwilliam, who was the driver, and he was arrested and taken into custody in Hereford after failing a roadside breath test. An evidential test in custody revealed he had 85 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

George Cousins, for Gwilliam, said the 21-year-old had been on his way to his girlfriend's house when he was pulled over.

"He drove a very short distance before he was stopped by police," Mr Cousins said.

"The result of losing his licence will be that he will lose his job, as he is a self-employed agricultural worker."

Magistrates said that it was a very unfortunate situation and that they hoped Gwilliam would learn from his experience.

Gwilliam, of Brunley Close, Whitney-on-Wye, was disqualified from driving for 17 months and fined £326. He must also pay costs of £135 and a £34 victim surcharge.