A drunk man was found asleep at the wheel with a live and loaded gun on his lap.

A concerned member of the public found Nathan Gardier, 24, had fallen asleep at the wheel in Walthamstow on Thursday while driving in slow moving traffic.

He then spotted Gardier had a gun on his lap, so he took the keys from the ignition and flagged down a passing patrol car on Willow Walk.

Officers restrained Gardier after he woke up and removed the gun from the vehicle.

The weapon on his lap turned out to be a live and loaded automatic handgun.

Gardier was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition, and being in charge of a motor vehicle with alcohol level above the prescribed limit.

He pleaded guilty to all charges at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

Gardier, of Walthamstow, will be sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on August 16.