A PENSIONER who was caught drink-driving twice in two months has been banned — but told he can still use his mobility buggy.

Wilfred Green, aged 77, was given a three-year driving ban when he appeared at Bolton Magistrates Court.

He was twice spotted driving erratically and on each occasion was found to be over the limit, the court was told.

Green, of Old Lords Crescent, Horwich, pleaded guilty to two counts of driving with excess alcohol.

The court heard the first incident took place in Lee Lane on November 8, when officers saw Green driving slowly. They signalled for him to pull over, but he continued into Lord Street.

Katie McFarlane, prosecuting, said officers saw him weaving in the road and mounting the pavement.

When he stopped he struggled to get out of the Fiat Bravo and officers arrested him for being unfit to drive.

A routine urine test showed he had 230 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of urine. The legal limit is 107.

The second incident happened on December 19 when police in Harrison Street saw a Kia Piccanto reverse at speed. It hit a lamppost, causing damage to the wing mirror.

Officers smelled alcohol on his breath and a reading showed 44 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Sam Makkan, defending, said Green had drunk four half pints of beer on the first occasion, and a glass of wine and a pint of beer on the second.

He said Green was trying to avoid potholes to prevent damage to the car when he was driving in Lee Lane and said that he did not mount the pavement. On the second incident, Mr Makkan said: “It was clear to him that the police were waiting for him as he drove out of the car park.

“He saw the police were blocking his way and he reversed back, and in doing so caused damage to his wing mirror.

“He now wishes the matter to come to an end. He uses a mobility buggy and has no intention of driving a car again.”

Magistrates also fined Green £200 and ordered him to pay costs totalling £385.

Mobility scooters that travel at speeds up to 4mph can be driven on the pavement, and are allowed on roads to cross from one side to the other. They do not require a licence to be driven.

Scooters with a maximum spped of 8mph are only permitted on the road, but do not require a licence. Users should obey the Highway Code.