A driver stopped by police in a village between Keighley and Skipton on a routine check had been smoking cannabis to alleviate back pain, heard magistrates.

Nathan Bullock, 27, was driving a Ford Focus on the A629 at Kildwick on December 11 when he was stopped by officers as part of the force's anti drink and drug driving campaign, the court in Skipton was told.

A road side drugs test proved positive and he was taken to the police station for a blood sample, which later revealed he had 5.3 microgrammes of the cannabis by-product, delta-9- tetrahydrocannabinol in one litre of blood, the specified limit is two.

Bullock, who admitted driving with more than the specified limit of a controlled drug in his system, had been taking cannabis for some time to alleviate a problem with his back, the court heard in mitigation.

Mohammed Hussain said Bullock, who had no previous convictions, had only driven a short distance to a shop, but that the consequences would be significant.

Bullock, of Roman Court, Skipton, was banned from driving for 12 months and fined £250. He will also have to pay £85 in costs and a surcharge of £30.