A BUILDING labourer has admitted drug driving after having smoked a friend's spliff.

Liam James, Astley, 25, of Llys Rhystnant, Four Crosses, Llanymynech, pleaded guilty to the offence when he appeared at Welshpool Magistrates Court.

Helen Tench, prosecuting, said Astley was stopped by police in Four Crosses last August for document checks when officers noticed his eyes were glazed and cannabis could be smelt.

Astley provided a positive roadside swipe test and was found to have 2.4 microgrammes in 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit is 2 microgrammes.

Paul Inns, defending, said his client had no previous convictions.

He said: "Earlier that morning he had gone fro a walk at Llanymynech Rocks, when he bumped into a friend who had a spliff of cannabis on him.

"This was at 10am and he was stopped by police later on, nothing to do with the standard of his driving."

Mr Inns also read out a glowing reference from Astley's employer.

Chair of the magistrates bench Nerys Jones handed him a 12 month driving ban and a £300 fine.

Astley will also pay £85 costs and a £34 victim surcharge.