BUSINESSMAN Robert Hunter saw the New Year in by celebrating with his family but was then arrested by police for drink-driving as he drove home the following day, a court heard.

Hunter was banned from driving for three years and fined £500 after drinking to celebrate a prosperous year in business as well as his brother's 50th birthday and the start of 2001.

The 42-year-old, of Hedsor Road, in Bourne End, pleaded guilty at Wycombe Magistrates Court on January 9 to driving while unfit through drink and failure to provide a specimen of breath.

Police were alerted to his state of driving on the M25 on New Years Day by other motorists and Hunter was pursued and stopped at around 4.30pm in Bourne End.

Rosemary Lake, prosecuting, said police noticed that Hunter "smelt of alcohol" and was "unsteady on his feet".

He tested positive to a roadside test but then failed to provide a breath specimen when taken to High Wycombe Police Station.

James Smith, defending, said that although Hunter had drunk too much he still managed to replace his car's starter motor in his car when he had problems.

He added: "He readily admits he was feeling pretty awful at this stage and knows he did wrong but felt he had no other option to get him home."

Hunter was banned from driving for three years, to be reduced on completion of a drink rehabilitation course, fined £500 and ordered to pay £55 towards prosecution costs.