A PROFESSIONAL driver has been banned from the roads after taking cocaine as a 'one-off' at a party.

Nicholas Bowers admitted drug-driving when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford.

Police had seen him driving his Renault Clio along Bridge Street in Leominster on the evening of January 16, prosecutor Elizabeth Blacklock said.

Bowers was pulled over due to a defective number plate light and was arrested after failing a roadside drug test.

An evidential blood sample taken in custody revealed Bowers, who has no previous convictions, had 30 microgrammes of cocaine per litre of blood, three times the legal limit of 10.

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Chris Read, for Bowers, said the 33-year-old had come to the attention of police as he drove along Bridge Street at 11pm as a light on his car was not working.

"He tells me he had used cocaine at a party two nights before, having no idea that it would remain in his system for that length of time," Mr Read said.

"He says this was a one-off and that he tries to be extremely careful as he was working as a driver for a beverage company. It was 48 hours between use and being stopped, but unfortunately he has fallen foul of the law. He has now lost his job and is applying for benefits."

Bowers, of Cheaton Close, Leominster, was disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined £100. He must also pay costs of £100 and a £34 victim surcharge.