A COACH driver whose passengers ordered him to stop after he hit a bollard has admitted being almost twice the legal alcohol limit at the time.

Patrick Joseph Burke, 52, was taking a coach-load of shoppers, including children, on a trip from Manchester to York, when he was breathalysed by police on the A64 at Bilbrough.

Burke, of Councillor Lane, Cheadle, in Cheshire, pleaded guilty to drink-driving, driving without due care and attention and failing to stop after colliding with a car park bollard on December 5.

He also admitted failing to report a collision.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: “The passengers on the coach ordered Burke to pull over when the vehicle veered out of control.”

Burke received an interim road ban and is due to be sentenced at Selby Magistrates’ Court on January 12.

Inspector Dave Brown, head of roads policing for North Yorkshire Police, said: “This year we are taking the issue of drink and drug-driving more seriously than ever.

“It is staggering that people still think it’s acceptable to drink and drive and it is our job to catch these individuals and make sure they know that their behaviour is not only unacceptable but it puts lives at risk.

“There are obvious and devastating consequences when somebody drinks before getting behind the wheel, such as killing an innocent victim or putting your own life at risk.”

Meanwhile, police said they have arrested 27 drivers under the latest crackdown on drink-driving and have breathalysed 2,651 motorists in North Yorkshire.

Four of those arrested were charged with driving while unfit through drugs.

Those arrested include a 24-year-old man from York, who was spotted by officers speeding on the A170 at Kirkbymoorside in the early hours of Saturday.

He will appear before Scarborough Magistrates’ Court on New Year’s Eve.

Another driver from York was arrested on Monday last week in George Street and will appear before magistrates in the city tomorrow charged with drink-driving.

Police in Selby arrested a man after he was stopped at The Haven and failed to provide a breathalyser test.

The 37-year-old was charged with drink-driving, and will appear before magistrates in Selby on January 6.