A FARM worker from Inkberrow found to be more than twice the drink-drive limit had been suffering from serious depression, a court heard.

Craig Davis, aged 30, was stopped by police as he drove along Greenhill, Evesham, in the early hours of Saturday, May 11.

Julie Rosamond, prosecuting, said the police officers were carrying out a routine check when they stopped him, but smelled alcohol on his breath. He was returning home after a drinking session at a pub.

"When they breathalysed him, the reading was found to be 71mcg per 100ml of breath - more than twice the legal limit," she said at Tuesday's hearing.

Davis, who works with his father at Priory Piece Farm, Priory Farm Lane, admitted the charge on Thursday, May 16. He had previously been given a five-year ban for drink-driving in May, 1997.

Susie Duncan, defending, said Davis had suffered from depression for some time and had been taking medication for this illness.

"He thought that doctors were going to section him - it had been building up for some time," she said.

Mrs Duncan said his depression had been exacerbated last year by a number of factors, including the foot-and- mouth outbreak, which had led to the farm's piggery being shut down.

She said he had also been affected by his father's ill health, which included heart problems and ulcerated legs.

He turned to drink after the relationship with his girlfriend of three years came to an end, she said.

"He turns to alcohol in times of crisis, in a misguided attempt to cope," said Mrs Duncan.

She said he would not be able to cope with prison, and he had attempted suicide in the past.

Worcester Magistrates sentenced Davis to a two-year rehabilitation order, and banned him from driving for four years. He was also ordered to pay £55 costs.