A DRINK driver told magistrates he had 'no excuse' for driving at more than twice the legal limit between Cross Hills and Skipton.

Stuart Eeles, 35, of Barnoldswick, was stopped by police just before midnight on December 5 as he joined the A59 near Skipton.

Officers had followed him from Cross Hills and stopped him because the way he was driving, heard Skipton Magistrates Court today (Friday). 

When Eeles pulled into the lay-by for the police, he hit a roadside kerb, the court was told.

A roadside breath test was positive, he was arrested and taken to the police station where he was found to have 84 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, the legal limit is 35.

Eeles, of previous good character, and who chose not to be represented by the duty solicitor, admitted drink driving.

He told the court: "I have no excuse. I was driving back home, it was stupid."

Eeles, of The Butts, Barnoldswick, was banned from driving for 20 months. He was also fined £346 and ordered to pay a surcharge of £138 and costs of £85. If he completes a drink drivers' rehabilitation course by January 24 next year, his ban will be reduced by 20 weeks.