A CRAVEN District Council refuse collector has been banned from driving after admitting being over the drink drive limit.

Daniel Ridehalgh, 22, was stopped by police as he drove friends from a party to an all night petrol station in Cross Hills to buy alcohol, heard Skipton magistrates.

Ridehalgh was stopped by police at 12.30am on October 14 because he was swerving along Main Street, Cross Hills in his Vauxhall Corsa, the court heard.

A roadside breath test was positive and he was taken to the police station where a breath test revealed he had 62 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, the legal limit is 35.

Ridehalgh, a man of previous good character, who worked for Craven Council in the refuse department three days a week, had not intended to drive after getting to his girlfriend's party in Silsden, the court was told.

John Mewies said Ridehalgh and his friends had been drinking and he had been persuaded after midnight to drive to an all night garage in Cross Hills to buy alcohol.

"It was not his intention to drive. Pressure was put on him and his friends have apologised and feel a heavy burden why he is here today," said Mr Mewies.

Ridehalgh, of Raynham Crescent, Keighley, was banned from driving for 17 months and fined £287 with costs of £85 and surcharge of £30. If he completes a drink drivers rehabilitation course, his ban will be reduced by 17 weeks.