A 25-YEAR-OLD drink driver caught in a pre-Christmas police crackdown has been banned from driving for a year.

Tom Taylor-Parker was stopped in his white BMW by officers within half a mile of his home in Glista Mill, Broughton Road, Skipton, on December 14, the town's magistrates were told.

Taylor-Parker, who was driving his sister to their parents' home in Skipton after drinking three gin and tonics, was stopped because officers believed he was exceeding the 30mph speed limit.

He provided a positive roadside breath test and, at the police station, was found to have 52 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Taylor-Parker, who admitted drink driving and had no previous drink-related convictions, worked in the hotel and catering industry and was based in the Trough of Bowland, the court heard.

In mitigation, John Mewies said although held in high esteem by his employer, it was likely that the loss of his licence would lead to him losing his job.

He pointed out there was no public transport to the area and a taxi would cost him £30 each way.

He was banned from driving for a year and fined £540 with prosecution costs of £85 and a surcharge of £54. If he completes a drink-drive rehabilitation course, his ban will be reduced by three months.