A suspected drink driver refused to give a breath sample at Carlisle's police HQ, telling officers: "It's because of my anxiety."

But that explanation cut no ice with magistrates, who gave 31-year-old Bryan Donald a 36-month driving ban, along with a £200 fine, £85 prosecution costs, and a £30 victim surcharge.

He admitted failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

At Carlisle's magistrates' court, prosecutor John Moran said that police became suspicious when officers saw Donald trying to move his car on a street in the city on December 27.

"It became clear that he was under the influence of alcohol," said Mr Moran.

Donald did initially supply a breath specimen, giving a reading of 83mcg in 100mls of breath - more than twice the limit.

But at the city's Durranhill Police HQ, the defendant, from Norfolk Place, Penrith, was uncooperative.

Mr Moran said: "He was saying he had anxiety and that his lungs didn't work." He refused to provide the further breath specimen. The officer involved concluded it was a deliberate refusal to cooperate.

"The defendant didn't appear to be wheezing or struggling for breath," said Mr Moran. The defendant was also slurring his words, smelled strongly of drink, and his eyes were glazed.

The court heard that Donald had a drink driving conviction on his record from August, 2010.

Representing himself in court, Donald, formerly of Fusehill Street, Carlisle, told magistrates he agreed with the prosecution outline but added: "I did offer to give a specimen of blood but they wouldn't take it.

"That's my only defence."