A BANNED Hereford man will have to hire a driver if he wants to keep his job, a court has heard.

Colin Miles admitted drink-driving when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford.

Police were called to a report that Miles had hit another car in his BMW X3 at the Whitecross Road Co-op at 8pm on July 17, prosecutor Mark Hambling said.

Miles, who has no previous convictions, was taken into custody after failing a roadside breath test, where an evidential breath test revealed he had 60 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

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Emma Thorne for Miles, said the 62-year-old had made full and frank admissions to police at the roadside and in interview.

"He tells me he had driven to Kington Golf Club for a day of golf," Mrs Thorne said.

"It was also the day of the championships, and so what would have been one pint turned into more. He tells me he bitterly regrets this."

Mrs Thorne said Miles had stopped at the Co-op for groceries and had clipped the bumper of another car.

"He was seen doing this by the owner," she said.

"He said he was not aware of doing it, but did exchange details with the other owner, who called the police. He stayed with his car, told police he had drunk alcohol, and provided a breath test."

The court heard Miles, who works in pipe fitting fabrication, has been driving for 43 years and that his licence is essential to his job as he travels throughout the country.

"He says he is devastated by his actions and that he is an honest person who made a mistake," Mrs Thorne said.

"He will have to hire a driver to carry on with his work."

Miles, of Sollars Close, Hereford, was fined £692 and disqualified from driving for 17 months. He must also pay costs of £135 and a £297 victim surcharge.