A Mercedes driver who downed too many shandies at a friend’s wake and then swerved along a busy road on his way home has now lost his licence.

Garry Foster, of Dover, drank the beverage on the day of the funeral of his best friend, whom he had known for 40 years.

But after consuming too many the 63-year-old climbed behind the wheel of his E220 saloon, but was spotted veering along the carriageway by police near Capel-le-Ferne, then he almost clipped a roundabout.

Officers spotted the construction worker at the wheel in Folkestone Road near his home on the evening of July 6, then pulled him over and got him to do a breath test.

He was arrested after giving a reading of 80 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, when the legal limit is 35.

Foster, of Leighton Road, appeared before magistrates in Folkestone on July 24, where he admitted drink-driving.

Prosecutor, Julie Farbrace said: “It was just after midnight and his vehicle was spotted by officers near Capel-le-Ferne and he was driving in the direction of Dover.

“The car was swerving over the road and almost clipped a kerb on a roundabout.”

The court heard officers stopped Foster on Folkestone Road where he was asked to do a roadside breath test, which he failed.

Ms Farbrace added: “The roadside test saw him blow over the limit, it was 80 in breath.”

The court also heard Foster had been to the funeral of his best friend of 40 years on the day of question.

He believed he would be okay to drive if he drank shandies but drank too many.

The court heard he had also suffered other family bereavements recently and that it had not been a good time of the year for him.

Magistrates were told it was also the anniversary of his daughter’s death on the day he attended his friend’s funeral.

The bench also heard he may not be able to keep his job on a building site in Maidstone if he faced a driving ban but hoped to find employment closer to home.

Magistrates banned Foster from driving for 18 months and fined him £700.

If he completes a drink-driving course the ban will be reduced by 18 weeks.

Foster was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £280 and £85 court costs at £50 a month.