An Army driver assigned to Green Goddess duties in the event of a national firefighters' strike has been banned for two years after failing a breath test.

Magistrates heard that a breath test showed Private Brendan Brooks, 21, of 3 Regiment, Dalton Barracks, Abingdon, had drunk more than three times the legal limit when he was found asleep in his car.

At Didcot Magistrates' Court on October 10, Clare Barclay, prosecuting, said police found Brooks in a Ford Fiesta parked at an angle in the road with a flat tyre in Willow Brook, Abingdon, at 8.45pm on September 6.

"He was asleep in the car with the radio on and it took police two attempts to rouse him," said Mrs Barclay. "His breath smelled of alcohol and his speech was slurred."

Brooks, who admitted being in charge of a motor vehicle while over the alcohol limit, was fined £450 and banned from driving for two years with £55 costs.

But magistrates said the disqualification could be reduced by six months if Brooks attended a drink drivers' rehabilitation course.

Mrs Barclay said Brooks told police he had been to a barbecue near the barracks.

"He could not remember how the vehicle got to Willow Brook, other than he must have driven it there," she said.

Daniel Eddershaw, defending, said Brooks expressed remorse and regret for his action.

While Brooks is not now be able to drive the Green Goddess engines, he could nevertheless be able to undertake firefighting duties.