A PARISH council chairman has been banned from driving after being caught more than twice the drink-drive limit.

Councillor Garry Key, of Long Street, Topcliffe, near Thirsk, admitted the offence when he appeared at Northallerton Magistrates’ Court.

The 59-year-old, who serves as Topcliffe Parish Council chair and Topcliffe Church of England Primary School governor, was charged a total of £573 in court fines and costs.

He was also banned from driving for 17 months.

Key was caught by police driving a Volvo on the A167 at Busby Stoop, about two miles from his home, on March 1 and had 78mg of alcohol in his breath - the legal limit is 35mg.

After the hearing, when asked whether the conviction would affect his future as parish council chairman and school governor, he offered no comment.