FREELANCE journalist Alun Rees will have to chase his scoops without the use of a car after being banned from driving.

Rees, 54, from Downsway, Ogbourne St Andrew, near Marlborough, admitted drink driving when he appeared before Kennet magistrates in Devizes on Tuesday.

Police came upon Rees's red Land Rover Discovery swerving across the unclassified road between Marlborough and Ramsbury shortly after midnight on October 31.

Rees registered 67 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, the legal limit being 35.

Emma Wrench, defending, said that Rees had been out looking for his mobile phone that he had lost.

She said: "He was waiting for a phone call for a piece he was writing for Talk Radio when he realised his mobile had gone missing.

"He drove a very short distance looking for it. Ironically, it had been placed on the gate at the entrance to his home so his trip was completely unnecessary."

Mrs Wrench offered three letters of support from the Daily Express, the London Evening Standard and Talk Sport.

Rees, who has three children but is separated from his wife, was banned from driving for 22 months.

He was offered a drink driver rehabilitation course, which, if completed, would reduce the length of the ban to 17 months.

He was also fined £280 with £34 costs.