A DRINK-DRIVER has said he was glad he got caught because it was the wake-up call he needed.

Alan Harrison, 40, of Links Close, Silloth, pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle with alcohol level above the limit.

The offence happened at 12.15am on October 4, on the B5302, at Waverbridge.

Workington Magistrates' Court heard that police were following a red Renault Clio after noticing it was 'swerving all over the road'.

The driver was slowing down and then speeding up again, the court was told.

When Harrison was pulled over by police, he exited the vehicle and appeared to be intoxicated.

He admitted to officers that he had been drinking, the court heard.

Harrison was breathalysed and gave a reading of 75mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

He was arrested and taken into custody. A blood sample revealed he had 167mlg of alcohol in 100ml of blood. The legal limit is 80mlg.

Harrison, who was unrepresented, told the court: "There's no real excuse for what I did.

"I want to thank the officers who arrested me. It was a cry for help.

"I'm glad I was caught. It gave me a wake-up call. I'm ashamed. I'm sorry it came to this."

Harrison was fined £461 and must pay £85 costs and a £46 surcharge to fund victim services.

He was banned from driving for 19 months, to be reduced by 19 weeks if he completes a drink-driver's rehabilitation course.