A BUILDER who travelled less than a mile to get home from the pub after drinking two pints has been banned from driving for 18 months.

Wayne Johnson thought he would be alright to drive the short distance home after drinking two pints of lager at the Brown Horse Pub in Tow Law, magistrates in Newton Aycliffe were told.

Johnson, 28, of Highfields in Tow Law, had stopped at the pub after a busy day moving building materials, the court heard.

But at about 6.10pm on June 7 police saw his van travelling along the A68 through the town and pulled him over.

Prosecutor David Wood said officers had noticed the van in the pub car park an hour before.

Johnson, a self-employed builder, was found to have 72mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, the court heard, with the legal limit being 35mcg.

Robert Willoughby in mitigation said Johnson had not eaten all day due to his busy work schedule which may have affected the alcohol reading.

Mr Willoughby said Johnson was driving less than a mile when he was stopped.

Since the incident, Johnson has stopped drinking all together, the court heard, and Mr Willoughby said a driving ban could have serious implications for both his work and family life.

As well as the 18 month ban Johnson, who admitted drink driving, was also ordered to pay a £275 fine, £85 costs and a £27 victim surcharge.