A 29-YEAR-OLD man with a serious heart condition could lose his job after he was caught drink driving.

Lee Minshall, was caught more than twice over the limit in Weavers Croft, Melksham, just before 2am on April 8.

Michele Hewitt, prosecuting at Chippenham magistrates' court on Thursday, said police saw Minshall driving his Renault Megane without its lights on and seemed to be over the speed limit.

Minshall, of Blenheim Park, Bowerhill, was breathalysed and had 72mg alcohol in 100ml breath.

Sambreen Arif, defending, said Minshall had had a few glasses of wine at a restaurant with his brother.

When he could not get a taxi he decided he would be safe to drive because he had drunk so little.

Minshall has had a severe heart problem since birth, for which he regularly attends hospital, and has taken 300mg aspirin every day for the past 15 years.

"Somebody of his size or build may still be under the limit with two glasses of wine but because of his illness and his medication this has bumped up the reading," she said.

Miss Arif said Minshall needs a driving licence for his job test-driving and selling motor homes and could lose his job if he was disqualified from driving.

"Not only is he facing losing his licence but also losing a job that he finds very difficult to get because of his heart condition," she said.

A wad of references from his boss, doctor and friends were presented to magistrates in court.

Miss Arif said: "He should be quite proud of himself. This heart condition significantly impacts his life but he gets up and he gets on and he quite enjoys his job."

Magistrate David Randolph said: "We recognise the difficulties over your job and we do hope that you will not lose your job as a result of this incident."

Minshall, who pleaded guilty to drink driving, was disqualified from driving for a year, fined £350 and ordered to pay £43 costs.