A STUDENT was so drunk from New Years Eve celebrations he failed to realise that his car tyre was missing on a Herefordshire main road.

Mark David Morris, 20, from The Park, Cheltenham pleaded guilty to drink driving on New Years Day on the A40 at Ross-on-Wye.

Clare Linehan, prosecuting at Hereford Magistrates Court on Thursday said that police were called at 9.10am to reports of a Volkswagen Golf blocking the main road.

The vehicle had extensive damage to its front side and the tyre ground down to the rim. No other vehicle was involved.

Police spoke to the driver who said that he had been drinking the previous evening. When tested Morris blew twice over the drink drive limit.

Mrs Linehan said: "On interview the defendant said he was extremely intoxicated on New Years Eve and was drinking into the early hours before going home to Cheltenham.

"Morris then remembered driving the vehicle from his home address when he was still extremely drunk. His intention was to drive to his ex-partners house in Peterchurch.

"The defendant said that it was a silly decision and remembered thinking the road was bumpy. He had seen it was badly damaged but must have been too drunk to realise."

Chris Morgan, mitigating said that Morris was a university student and was remorseful for his actions

He said: "It was New Years Day, the day after the night before which so often happens but it doesn't make it any better.

"Morris accepts he shouldn't have been driving and it was a bad decision. He should have stayed at home."

Chair of magistrates Roger Wild said: "It was an expensive decision to make.

"A lot of people don't realise how long it takes to come out of your system and fall into the same trap."

Morris was ordered to pay a £150 fine, £135 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

He was also disqualified from driving for 18 months which could be reduced on completion of a drink driving course.