A COACH driver who crashed into the gates of a Southampton school this morning was more than three times the legal drink-drive limit, police say.

The vehicle damaged gates at Upper Shirley High School this morning as it was trying to enter the premises.

The bus was described as an “interactive careers bus” that was being brought in for the school’s career day.

Its 53-year-old male driver was arrested on suspicion of drink driving and has been bailed until February.

Head teacher Stuart Woods said four members of staff were on site at the time and called the emergency services as a precaution.

He said: “There was an unfortunate accident at the entry to the school at 7am when an exhibition vehicle clipped the sides of our gates. It grazed the corner of our gates and knocked off a laser sensor but nothing more.

“No students were present at the time and there is only minor damage to the gates. Upper Shirley High rates safety as its top priority and commends the work of the emergency services who responded swiftly. I understand the driver was taken to hospital due to a health concern.”

Mr Woods added the school had a zero tolerance policy towards driving under the influence.

He said: “Drink driving is abhorrent and totally unacceptable."

The coach was provided by Southampton Solent University.

A spokesperson for the University said: “At 7am this morning the driver of a coach contracted by the university to deliver careers advice to schools and colleges was involved in a minor accident when it hit the gates of a local school it was visiting.

The damaged school gates

“Fortunately no-one else was involved but an ambulance was called when the driver appeared unwell. Subsequently the Police were contacted and we were made aware that the driver of the coach failed a breath test.

“We take this matter very seriously and we are doing everything we can to help the police with their enquiries, as is the coach company responsible for the driver.”

The driver was the only person on board the coach, which is not designed to carry passengers.

He was taken ill after the incident and conveyed to Southampton General Hospital by paramedics, although he did not sustain any injuries in the crash.

It comes as Hampshire Police are running an anti-drink driving campaign throughout December, called Not Worth The Risk.

So far after 10 days there have been 2,082 drivers breath tested with 15 arrested for being over the drink limit and seven arrested on drug offences.

The highest reading so far has been for someone six times the legal limit.

And officers remain vigilant, with one driver stopped twice this week who was clear on the first test but blew twice over the limit when stopped for the second time last night.