A DRINK driver who was twice the limit when he drove the wrong way down a one way street in Worcester has been banned.

John Rowley admitted driving with excess alcohol when he appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court in Thursday.

The 55-year-old of Bridge Piece, Birmingham, was stopped in Barbourne Road in Worcester during the early hours of April 7.

The lowest evidential reading recorded was 77mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, more than twice the limit.

Ian Parsons, defending, said Rowley had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and asked that he be given full credit for that.

"He had come to Worcester for a night out and brought his van and drove back the following morning.

"He appears to have been lost and drove the wrong way down the one way street and found a police van coming the other way."

Mr Parsons said the driving ban would affect Rowley's work as a shop fitter and that he understood he was going to be disqualified.

"It's something he very much regrets now in the cold light of day and is going to have to live with" said Mr Parsons.

Rowley had a previous conviction for drink driving in 2004.

District judge Nigel Cadbury banned him from driving for 20 months, fined him £500 and ordered him to pay £135 costs and a £50 victim surcharge.

If Rowley successfully completes a drink drive course by May 31, 2020 the length of the ban will be reduced by a quarter.