A PROVISIONAL licence holder has been disqualified from driving for 16 months after pleading guilty to driving with excess alcohol.

Lee Turner, 32, from Arkley Crescent, Hartlepool, was spotted driving a Ford Fiesta erratically along Thames Avenue in the town, at 11.50pm on October 30, Hartlepool Magistrates' Court heard yesterday.

Sharon Campbell, prosecuting, said: "Police caused the vehicle to stop and saw the front female passenger swap seats with the driver, and her feet were still in the footwell."

Turner was almost twice the drink-drive limit. He was disqualified from driving for 16 months, fined £250 and ordered to pay £43 costs.