A DRINK driver caught in the early hours of New Year's Day has been banned from the roads.

Gary O'Hare was behind the wheel of a Vauxhall Astra when he was pulled over in Arthur Road, Christchurch at 2.50am on January 1.

He failed a roadside breath test, and was arrested.

Later tests showed the 48-year-old had 64 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. The limit is 35mg, meaning he was almost twice the limit.

Last week, O'Hare, of Lingdale Road in Bournemouth, appeared at Poole Magistrates' Court to admit drink-driving, as well as a second charge of possessing class B drug cannabis.

He was sentenced to a £300 fine and a 17-month driving ban for the offence. He was also ordered to pay a surcharge and costs.

A spokesperson from Dorset Police said: "Officers on patrol in the Christchurch area stopped a Vauxhall Astra in Arthur Road.

"The driver was asked to carry out a roadside breath test, which he failed, and he was subsequently arrested on suspicion of drink driving.

"He was taken to Bournemouth police station and during a search in custody a quantity of suspected cannabis was reportedly found in the man’s possession.

"He was further arrested on suspicion of possessing a class B drug."