A DRINK-driver is backing a hard-hitting campaign to stop motorists driving while over the alcohol limit.

Simon Richardson, of Easingwold, in North Yorkshire, was caught driving while over the limit in 2005.

His tale has been told as part of a Hambleton Safety Partnership crackdown on drink-drivers.

The 36-year-old had been drinking with friends in Easingwold and decided to drive home to nearby Thirsk.

But he was stopped on the A19 and gave a positive breath test of 44mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath - the limit is 35mg.

Mr Richardson was banned for a year by the courts within two weeks and fined £140 with costs of £50.

He said: "Hopefully, this will stop other people doing it and I have learnt my lesson.

"It was awful and I didn't know what people would think, and I had to use public transport to get to work."

The scheme is being supported by North Yorkshire Police and fire brigades.

Sergeant Paul Stephenson, of Easingwold police, said: "Mr Richardson is quite lucky as he is still alive.

"There are many cases where drink-drivers have been killed or they have killed other people with their actions.

"It's a national problem and anything that helps reduce the number of casualties is a good thing."

In North Yorkshire, drink- driving is the third highest reason for road deaths, only topped by drivers not paying attention and speeding.