A man has been banned from the road for two and a half years after he was caught five times over the drink-drive limit in the middle of the day.

Vladimirs Fominihs, of Edgar Road, in Margate was stopped by police in busy Northdown Road, Cliftonville at about 1pm last Wednesday.

The 43-year-old was breathalysed at the scene and was found to have 163 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35 microgrammes.

Fominihs appeared before Medway Magistrates' via video link the next day and was given a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and disqualified from driving for 30 months. He was also fined £200 for driving with no insurance.

Throughout December, officers from the roads policing unit are cracking down on the use of drink or drugs while driving.

Inspector Sam Pearson said: "We would urge people to plan ahead before having a night out. If you are going to have some alcohol then keep some money aside for a taxi home, or nominate a driver in your group of friends who will not drink at all.

"It is just not worth the risk of getting behind the wheel of a vehicle when you have alcohol in your system.

"Every year innocent motorists and pedestrians are put at risk from people who think it is acceptable to drive when under the influence of alcohol; this campaign is about telling people it is not acceptable.

"My officers tackle this type of offence all year round, but we will have a particular focus during December and the Christmas period."