A RESTAURANT boss has paid the price for some after-work drinks with a 20-month driving ban.

And now Stephen Leyreloup expects to lose his job as brasserie manager at the Devonshire Arms, Bolton Abbey.

Leyreloup, 36, of Glen Street, Colne, was more than twice the limit when he was subject to a police spot check in the early hours, Burnley Magistrates heard.

Leyreloup admitted driving with excess alcohol, on Skipton Road, Foulridge, on May 29.

Leyreloup, who came to this country from France in November 2004, was also fined £250 with £50 costs.

John Begs, prosecuting, told the court at 1.30am, police stopped a Ford Escort travelling towards Colne.

Officers smelled drink on the defendant's breath and a roadside breath test showed 81 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Leyreloup was taken to the police station and the lowest of two tests there revealed 82 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

Leyreloup said he had worked a very, very long weekend, decided to have a few drinks and had one too many. He added: "It will cost me my job."