A HEREFORD man has narrowly avoided a prison sentence for drink-driving while disqualified.

Magistrates decided to give Andrew Lilley, aged 24, of Primrose Close, Redhill, a second chance after hearing about attempts to get his life back in order.

"You have come very close to going to prison today. It is only five weeks after being disqualified for two years that you took this vehicle on the road," chairman of the bench, Danny Morgan, told him.

Mr Lilley had been driving his Alpha Romeo in Yazor Road during the early hours of January 3 when police observed his erratic driving.

A roadside breath test, during which Mr Lilley admitted to his disqualification, showed he was over the alcohol limit.

Magistrates ordered him to serve 180 hours' community service, pay £55 costs and disqualified him from driving for three years.

In mitigation, the court heard how Mr Lilley, who has been suffering from feelings of insecurity, was fully co-operative with police and volunteered information about his disqualification.