A WHITEHAVEN man was caught drink-driving on his way to buy more booze.

Iain Thomason, 53, of Glenridding Walk, pleaded guilty to the offence when he appeared at the magistrates court in Workington on Friday.

Peter Barnsley, prosecuting, said police were contacted after Thomason was seen driving his Ford Mondeo on the A595 to the Longmile garage.

A road side breath test returned positive and he was taken to the police station, where he was found with 80mcg of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

The legal limit is 35mcg.

Mr Barnsley said: "During the police interview he said he'd had a bottle of wine and had gone to the garage to get another bottle."

David Martin, defending, said Thomason was genuinely sorry for what had happened and he had let himself down.

Mr Martin said: "He has been quite stressed for the last couple of years.

"He lost a really good job at Sellafield, where he worked for 30 years and has become depressed and drinking a little bit more than he should."

The solicitor said Thomason had drank the bottle of wine through the evening, had nodded off and then decided to go and get another bottle.

Mr Martin said: "He didn't feel as though he was intoxicated. There are no aggravating features, there's no evidence of bad driving.

"He was arrested at the service station and he cooperated with police."

He added that Thomason felt he had let his parents down as they rely on him for lifts to attend medical appointments.

The court heard the defendant had already made arrangements to sell his car and was hoping to get his life back on track.

Magistrates handed Thomason a £120 fine and a 20-month driving ban.

His ban could be reduced by 20 weeks if he successfully completes a drink-drivers rehabilitation course.

Thomason must also pay £85 costs and £32 victim surcharge.