A MAN who drunkenly fell asleep in the street and then swore at police officers has been told to stop drinking by Worcester magistrates.

Brian Harper was found asleep outside the White Hart pub, College Street, Sidbury, Worcester, on the evening of Friday, February 23.

Chairman of the bench Michael Lumley told him: "There's no danger of you drinking Worcestershire dry so I suggest you stop."

Harper, aged 66, of Tolladine Road, Worcester, who has 139 previous convictions, admitted being drunk and disorderly when he appeared before Worcester magistrates yesterday.

Police were called to the pub at 5.45pm after a customer phoned to say a man had fallen down some stairs.

When police and paramedics arrived they found Harper slumped against a wall outside the pub, apparently asleep.

Jo Barker, prosecuting, said: "They tried to speak to him and get some response from him to see if he was injured. When the officer got close to him he could smell alcohol on him. Mr Harper then clearly swore in a loud but slurred manner. He folded his arms and refused to communicate with the officer."

He was given a £100 fine and ordered to pay £43 costs.