AN ESHTON man has failed in his attempt to get his drink driving ban ended early after Skipton magistrates heard the application was opposed by police.

Ronald Smallwood, 73, was banned for three years by the Skipton court in May, 2013 after being stopped in Chew Lane, Gargrave.

Although his reading at the time was not particularly high, he received a lengthy ban because of an earlier conviction for drink-driving, the court was told on Friday.

John Mewies, for Smallwood, of Eshton Hall, said he lived in an isolated location with no public transport and rarely drank since his last conviction.

But the court was told that the application was strongly opposed by North Yorkshire Police because of Smallwood's previous record.

Magistrates told Smallwood that they sympathised with his situation, but that they could see no reason to grant his application.