A MECHANIC lost his driving licence yesterday after pleading guilty to drink-driving.

Simon Watson, of Rainsford Crescent, Thorntree, Middlesbrough, told magistrates in Richmond, that he argued with his girlfriend and on the spur of the moment decided to go for a drive to cool off.

However, when he was stopped by police in Northallerton, a breath test showed he was over the legal drink-drive limit.

Watson told magistrates he had never driven after a drink before and had already lost his job as a result.

He was banned from driving for a year, fined £100 and ordered to pay costs of £60.

Watson also agreed to take a driving course for convicted drink-drivers, which, if he passes the course, could lead to him getting his driving licence back three months early.