TWO more drink drivers have been handed driving bans for needlessly putting lives at risk.

Edward Sibbick, of Bath Road, Bradford on Avon, was disqualified from driving for two years after admitting driving while nearly three times over the legal limit.

Magistrates in Chippenham heard on Thursday how the 41-year-old was driving from Colerne to Corsham at 1am on January 25 when he was stopped by police.

A breath test showed 99mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg.

Andrew Watts-Jones, defending, said Sibbick had been under a lot of stress due to his wife's pregnancy and had been on a night out for a break.

Sibbick had been planning to get a taxi home but, when none were available, had decided to drive back.

The court heard Sibbick was of previous good character and had carried out voluntary work, including football coaching at local primary schools, and was a former retained firefighter in Corsham for seven years.

Mr Watts-Jones said: "He is a man engaged with society and he knows right from wrong.

"This man has behaved, on this occasion, utterly, utterly out of character and he is very ashamed of himself."

Sibbick also admitted driving without insurance and magistrates heard he had

thought the fully comprehensive insurance on his other

vehicle would cover him for the Ford Mondeo he was driving on the evening in question.

He was fined £300 for driving while over the limit, £100 for driving without insurance and ordered to pay costs of £43.

Mark Nurdin, of Eden Vale Road, Westbury, was disqualified from driving for 12 months after admitting driving while over the limit.

Magistrates in Chippenham were told the 22-year-old was pulled over by police in Westbury just before 11.30pm on January 29.

A breath test showed he had 45mg of alcohol per 100 ml of breath, 10mg over the legal limit.

Nurdin, who was not represented in court, said: "I was at a friend's house and had a couple of beers. My friend wasn't feeling well so I gave him a lift home.

"I did not think I was over the limit. If I knew I was over the limit I would not have driven."

As well as the driving ban Nurdin was ordered to pay a fine of £150 and costs of £43 at the hearing on Thursday.