A DRIVER seen throwing empty lager cans out of the car window was stopped by police and found to be four times over the limit.

Officers received reports of a silver car travelling at speed on the A19 - with the manner of driving and the fact empty cans were being thrown out of the window raising suspicions of drink driving.

Officers from Cleveland and Durham Road Policing Unit stopped the car safely at the A689 Wolviston interchange near Wynyard at around 8.15pm on Friday night.

An opened case of lager was found on the passenger seat.

A police spokesman said: "The driver was over four times the legal limit and taken to Hartlepool Custody to be processed. A danger to the public and himself removed from the roads."