A drunk man who was seen by police outside a pub before he got in a car and drove off has been banned from driving.

Ben Thompson, 45, of Station Road in Long Marston, has been disqualified for one year and five months after he admitted to a charge of drink driving at Wycombe Magistrates' Court on Monday.

The court heard how on July 29, at around 7pm, officers from the Rural Crime Taskforce observed Thompson standing outside a pub in Station Road, Long Marston, looking intoxicated.

As officers went to turn their car around, Thompson drove off in a black Ford Ranger pickup truck.

His destination was his home - only a three-minute walk from the pub.

The officers pulled the driver and carried out a breath test, which he failed. The test showed a reading of 61 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 micrograms.

As well as a driving ban, Thompson was also fined £414.

PC Ryan Dollery, of the Rural Crime Taskforce, said: “Thompson chose to risk driving the three-minute walk home while intoxicated rather than walk it.

“We’d like to remind the public that drink-driving is not acceptable and although we cannot be everywhere at all times, we can be anywhere at any time.

“Please report suspected intoxicated drivers to us by calling 999, and if you know of a regular drink-driver, please report this information to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or via its website.”