GOLFER David Nichols was banned from driving for 12 months after buying three rounds in his local pub.

Nichols, 42, a service engineer, of Slade Road in Stokenchurch, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol when he appeared at Wycombe Magistrates' Court on Monday.

Andy Callander, prosecuting, told the court how police officers followed Nichols after he left a pub, in Downley, High Wycombe, and stopped him on suspicion of drink-driving after he drove off at more than 30mph.

He said: 'Officers stopped the vehicle and officers could smell liquor on his breath.

'He admitted he had had alcohol and gave a positive roadside test.'

The test showed Nichols broke the legal limit of 35 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath by giving a reading of 45 microgrammes.

Christopher Thompson, defending, said Nichols popped into a pub in Downley to arrange a game of golf with friends on June 9, but downed two-and-a-half pints of lager as he waited for a member of his team who turned up late.

He told the court Nichols averaged around 40,000 miles-per-year as part of his job and said he would lose his job if disqualified.

Mr Thompson added: 'The loss of his licence means he will lose his job. He has told his employers and will be kept on until the end of the month, but that is it.'

The defence solicitor asked magistrates to keep any fines low because Nichols would be out of work within a fortnight and would be forced to dip into a £2,000 fund for his daughter's university education if the fine was heavy.

Chairman of the bench, magistrate Thelma Taylor banned Nichols for one year and ordered him to pay a fine of £120 and £55 in prosecution costs.