A business owner checked himself into a rehab centre after police found him drunk sleeping in his van- a court heard.

Sydney Wood, who owns Maryport Car Centre, pleaded guilty to being in charge of a vehicle with alcohol level above the limit when he appeared at the magistrates court in Workington on Friday.

The 58-year-old, of Gillbeck Park, Maryport, was fined £533 and he was given 10 points on his licence for the offence.

Peter Barnsley, prosecuting, told the court police were called at around lunchtime on June 29 by a member of the public who was concerned about the health of a man in a Ford Transit van parked across a field gate on Cross How Road, Dearham.

Mr Barnsley said: "When the officers attended they saw Mr Wood lying across the front seats and he appeared to be sleeping. They managed to arouse him and he said he had a little bit to drink the previous night - a bottle of wine."

A roadside test gave a reading of 190 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - which is over five times the drink-drive limit.

A sample taken at hospital more than six hours later gave a reading of 58 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, which is the reading used when he was charged.

The court heard he was convicted of similar offences in the past.

Matthew Miller, defending, told the magistrates Wood had been taking steps to address his behaviour of drinking to excess by checking himself into a "quite expensive" rehabilitation centre in Birmingham, where he spent three weeks.

Mr Miller said Wood had been feeling better since leaving the centre, which he still attended on occasions as a day-patient, and had abstained from drinking since.

He added: "He's not an alcoholic but when he goes through personal difficulties he binge drinks to suppress these feelings."

The court heard Wood was struggling to come to terms with the death of his mother and the sudden death of his sister, which occurred a short time apart.

Mr Miller also asked the magistrates to take into consideration that Wood had not tried to deny his responsibilities.

He said: "The driving licence is crucial to his business. He employs six people who all depend on him and his ability to continue driving and running the centre he owns."

Mr Miller told the court an independent process will be carried out due to Wood's charge to determin if the centre can retain its licence to carry our MOTs.

Character references were handed to the magistrates, including a newspaper article reporting on Mr Wood's charity fundraising efforts for the Poppy Appeal and the North West Air Ambulance.

Sarah Bradbury, chairman of the magistrates panel, sentencing, said: "We've decided not to disqualify you from driving, but I must warn you this is your last chance. Any further motoring offence will have a significant impact on you and those people who you have responsibility for."

Wood was also ordered to pay £85 costs and £53 victim surcharge.