A SETTLE man admitted being over the drink-drive limit when he crashed his car into a lamp post in Skipton.

Skipton magistrates were told a witness has reported a collision in Greatwood Avenue, at 9.30am on April 25 this year.

Police attended and found Richard Barker, 37, of Duke Street, face down and semi-conscious in a pool of blood. He had a suspected broken nose and an ambulance was called. He later provided a blood sample which showed 148 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.

Defending, Ben Whittingham said his client had been at a birthday party but had stopped drinking at midnight.

He said Barker had collected his car later that morning believing he was under the limit. No sooner had he started driving he had swerved to avoid something in the road and hit the lamp post. He apologised for the offence.

He was disqualified from driving for 18 months and fined £120. he was ordered to pay a surcharge of £34 and costs of £85.