A man stopped by police on suspicion of drink driving took the unorthodox step of using a can of deodorant as a makeshift breath freshener before facing officers.

Efren Mencia-Ramirez was pulled over after he sped past a police car on a road in South Carolina's Spartanburg County, before swerving into another lane.

As officers walked towards the 49-year-old, he reached for the can of Axe (branded as Lynx in the UK).

Officers saw Mr Mencia-Ramirez “spraying Axe body spray in his mouth when [the deputy] approached, to cover the smell of alcohol on his breath,” the police report states.

They also found him at the wheel with an open can of beer between his legs and nine empty cans on the floor. Another was open and full and one remained unopened.

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The last-minute perfumery could not disguise the overwhelming odour of drink.

He smelled of alcohol and exhibited signs of intoxication while talking with officers, the report says.

Mr Mencia-Ramirez was arrested on suspicions of driving under the influence after failing multiple field sobriety tests and taken to the sheriff’s office headquarters, where he provided a breath sample indicating he was almost twice over the legal limit for operating a vehicle in South Carolina.

He was charged with driving under the influence, having an open container, no proof of insurance and no valid driver’s license.

Lynx body sprays typically contain alcohol, making his attempted concealment methods all the more futile.