A CRASH driver has been banned after hitting a lorry while on an early-hours trip to McDonald's.

Edward Morgan admitted drink-driving when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford.

He had been driving a Ford Mondeo on the A456 towards Newnham Bridge at around 12.20am when he came up behind a lorry stopped at temporary traffic lights, prosecutor Ralph Robyns Landricombe said.

But Morgan failed to stop in time, crashing into the back of the lorry.

Police were called and Morgan, who was standing on the verge, was noted to have red, bloodshot eyes, and was swaying and unsteady on his feet.

He told officers he had been the driver of the Ford and was arrested and taken to hospital for assessment after failing a roadside breath test.

An evidential breath test taken later that morning at 2.53am revealed he had 75 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

In interview, Morgan said he had drunk one can of Guinness at home and was driving to McDonald's in Kidderminster for food.

He told officers he had seen the lorry and thought it was moving off rather than stopped, but realised it was not moving too late and hit that back end of it.

Chris Read, for Morgan, said the 35-year-old had been driving along a road he was familiar with but that he had not been aware that there were temporary traffic lights in place.

"He did not expect the lorry to be stopped at that point, but by the time he realised the situation, it was too late and he ran into the back of the lorry," Mr Read said.

"It was a slow crash and there was very minor damage to both vehicles.

"He is normally a joiner and is self-employed, but he has been very practical as he will be unable to continue working without a licence and is putting in an application for benefits."

Morgan, of Wheeler Orchard, Tenbury, was disqualified from driving for 18 months and fined £120. He must also pay costs of £135 and a £34 victim surcharge