A DRINK DRIVER whose car skidded off a country road and ploughed into a lake has been banned from the roads.

Fire crews were called to the incident near Ringwood after Robert Morey’s Ford Fiesta ended upside down in water.

The 25-year-old had been out drinking with friends when he decided to drive home to pick up is identification as he had planned to go out clubbing.

But as he drove back home to Cuckoo Hill, in South Gorley, in the New Forest, the car left the road and plunged into Blashford Lakes.

Crews from Burley, Fareham Fordingbridge and Redbridge were called to the scene just south of Snails Lane.

Southampton Magistrates’ Court heard how Morey, had a “couple of drinks” before getting in the car.

Prosecutor Sital Mond said shortly after the accident on December 16 Morey appeared at a house nearby at around 12.39am asking for help and “smelling of drink”.

He told the person in the house that he had crashed his car into water - but wasn’t sure if it was a lake or a river. He was later breathalysed and found to have 58 microgrammes of alcohol on his breath. The limit is 35.

Mitigating, Michael McGoldrick said Morey had been out with friends - who were then planning on going out in Bournemouth. Knowing he often had trouble getting into clubs he went home to get his ID.

Mr McGoldrick told the court: “He was going home to collect his ID, the car skidded and has been written off.

“He is 25 years of age and lives with his family.

“His sales job is not at risk by disqualification.”

Morey was disqualified from driving for 14 months and ordered to pay a £600 fine plus costs after admitting drink driving.

As reported no one was seriously injured in the incident.