A parish councillor was forced to resign after drowning his sorrows at a village pub and trying to drive home.

Martyn Padbury's journey came to an abrupt end when he collided with a motorist on the A274 Maidstone Road.

The 52-year-old had arranged to go for lunch with his then partner but after a blazing row this was cancelled and he decided to drop into the White Horse, Headcorn, for a drink.

Maidstone Magistrates' Court heard Padbury, of South Bank, Sutton Valence, had intended to have one drink to calm himself down but bumped into a friend and ended up drinking three and a half pints.

What followed was described by Padbury, who had no licence, as a decision of "utter stupidity" as he left the North Street pub's car park and headed along the A274.

As he approached New Barn Road a Renault Twingo pulled out and he was unable to stop his uninsured Ford Focus in time.

Police breathalysed Padbury, a Headcorn parish councillor, and he gave a reading of 64 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Magistrates heard Padbury had since resigned his position as he didn't want to bring the council into disrepute, had lost his job and broken up with his partner.

He was disqualified for 17 months and ordered to pay £265.