A Mercedes driver was caught nearly twice the alcohol limit near a Stroud pub.

James Whewell, 42, must pay nearly £2,000 and has been banned from driving for 15 months after being caught near the Prince Albert in Rodborough near Stroud on Saturday, February 18.

Whewell, who was driving a Mercedes C300D, had 68 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit being 35 microgrammes.

He pleaded guilty to a charge of drink-driving at Cheltenham Magistrates Court on July 31 having previously denied the offence.

Whewell, of Scorton, Preston, was also charged with assault on the same date but this was dropped as no evidence was offered.

Besides the driving ban, he was fined £1,125 and must also pay a £450 victim services surcharge plus £350 costs.

The total of £1,925 must be paid by August 28.

The ban will be reduced by 15 weeks if he completes a course.