A drink-driver from Weston has been banned for three years after speeding down a closed road past a work crew.

Joshua Farrow, aged 23 and of St Austell Road, was reported to police when he ignored road closure signs and drove at speed on the A370, in Backwell and Flax Bourton.

Police later arrested him when he was driving through Weston-super-Mare town centre, and found he was under the influence of alcohol.

Farrow pleaded guilty to driving over the allowed alcohol limit at North Somerset Courthouse on August 8.

He has been banned from driving for three years, ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and must pay £80 costs.

Investigating officer PC Andre Burgoyne said: “An offence of this nature would usually result in a 12-month driving ban but in this case his driving through the road closure was taken into consideration, resulting in a much harsher penalty.”

The council’s deputy leader and executive member with responsibility for highways Elfan Ap Rees said: “Driving through a road closure is completely unacceptable.

“Just a few months ago we had an incident in Portishead where a worker was seriously injured when someone drove through a closed, coned-off area.

“We all find roadworks frustrating at times but the road signage is there for a reason – to protect the safety of crews who, after all, are working to keep North Somerset’s roads safe to the benefit of all drivers and pedestrians.

“This individual put our crews, contractors and themselves at risk of serious injury or worse.

“We take the safety of our crews extremely seriously and we will work with police to make sure anyone who puts them at risk in this way faces the consequences.”