A FAMILY businessman caught drink driving was so drunk he could barely stand up when police pulled him over.

David Checketts, managing director of Checketts Fine Foods of Ombersley, admitted driving with excess alcohol when he appeared before magistrates in Worcester on Thursday.

The business has been associated with Ombersley since 1925 when the great grandfather of the defendant moved his butcher's shop to the village, not far from where Checketts was pulled over.

The 40-year-old of Great House Road, Worcester, blew 72mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, more than twice the legal limit of 35mcg.

Police pulled him over in his Nissan Navara on the A4133 in Ombersley on September 1 after villagers raised concerns about his erratic driving.

Kriss Ewing, prosecuting, said the incident took place at around 3.40am when he was observed driving into a roundabout.

Ms Ewing said: "Officers arrived, saw the defendant, pulled him over. They spoke to him. He was struggling to stand upright they say. They did the roadside breath test which he failed."

Gary Harper, defending, said: "Mr Checketts is very disappointed to find himself in court today having lost his good character by his guilty plea."

He said Checketts had been under a great deal of stress and strain and it was a relief to him that he had been stopped by police.

Mr Harper did not specify what the issue was but said Checketts was doing something about it which was 'refreshing'.

He added: "He's got off his bottom and done something about this particular problem he has. He has a fairly famous local business and employs something like 35 people. This will compromise the business. He understands this is his fault."

Mr Harper stressed the lack of aggravating features. The offence took place in the early hours of the morning when no-one else was about.

Magistrates fined him £551, ordered him to pay costs of £135 and a victim surcharge of £55.

They banned him from driving for 17 months. However, he was offered a drink drive course. If he completes the course by August 21 this will reduce the ban by 17 weeks.