A MAN has been banned from the roads after admitting to drug driving.

William Forrester, 26, of Caldecott, Whitchurch, pleaded guilty to the offence when he appeared at Welshpool Magistrates Court.

Laura Knightly, prosecuting, said that in August, officers stopped his Volkswagen on Pool Road entering Montgomery for a speeding offence which has already been dealt with by the court, Forrester having been travelling at 57 miles per hour in a 30mph zone.

While speaking to Forrester, officers could smell a strong scent of cannabis and asked whether he had any in the vehicle. He said he did not, but his body language indicated differently, and officers did find a small bag of herbal cannabis in the vehicle.

Forrester provided a positive roadside test, having 2.5 microgrammes in his blood. The legal limit is 2.

Paul Inns, defending, said Forrester would lose his employment as a result of the disqualification.

He said: "Aside from the speeding there were no other aggravating factors in the manner of his driving.

"He had used cannabis the previous night but felt fine."

Chair of the magistrates bench Stephen Pembroke told Forrester he had a choice to make in the future.

He said: "You need to make up your mind whether you want to smoke cannabis, or drive."

Mr Pembroke banned Forrester from driving for two years and fined him £120.

He will also pay £85 costs and a £34 victim surcharge.