A CHARITY van driver who was twice the drink-drive limit crashed into barriers at a viaduct in the early hours.

Police later stopped Joshua Edwards, 27, as he walked in the countryside but he claimed he was simply out walking after an argument with his partner.

But officers established he was the driver of the crashed Ford Transit and he blew an alcohol reading of 70 milligrammes, compared to the legal limit of 30.

Edwards, of Park Avenue in Oswestry, appeared from custody at North East Wales Magistrates Court and admitted driving with excess alcohol last Thursday.

He was banned from driving for 17 months and fined £120 with £85 costs and a £30 surcharge.

Prosecutor Justin Espie said a witness was cycling to work at 4am when he came across the Transit which he said had hit barriers at the viaduct near Chirk.

Police were alerted and they saw a man walking towards Oswestry.

Edwards provided a positive roadside breath test and was arrested.

Solicitor Christie Ankers-Phillips, defending, told the Mold court her client had a bit of an argument with his girlfriend and decided to leave the property.

He got into the van which he used for work for a charity in Oswestry delivering items including furniture.

She said in view of the inevitable ban Edwards would still be able to help the charity but in a different role.

Edwards, said to be actively seeking employment, was referred to a drink driving rehabilitation course which, if successfully completed, will reduce his ban by a third.