A NORTHWICH man has been banned from the roads after being caught behind the wheel while more than eight times the drug limit.

David Williams, of Griffiths Road, Lostock Gralam, was driving a BMW along the A533 in Northwich on August 7 last year when he was stopped.

A subsequent blood test revealed the 29-year-old had 407µg/L of Benzoylecgonine - a breakdown product of cocaine - in his system.

The legal limit for this drug is 50µg/L.

At the time he was stopped, Williams was also found with a quantity of cannabis.

He was arrested and charged with drug-driving and possession of a class B controlled drug.

Williams pleaded guilty to the charges at his first appearance in Chester Magistrates Court on February 16.

Taking this plea into account, the magistrates disqualified him from driving for 12 months and handed him a reduced fine of £120, down from £180.

The bench also ordered Williams to pay court costs to the Crown Prosecution Service of £120 and a surcharge of £80.