A BOOZED-UP learner driver spotted by a ticket collector onboard a ferry was caught by police when he rolled off the vessel at Gourock behind the wheel of a BMW.

Connor Frankgate had been away with pals for a party weekend at a log cabin in Dunoon, but the 'designated driver' was still more than twice the alcohol limit the morning after.

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The 25-year-old provisional licence holder has now been hit with a roads ban and fine after pleading guilty to drink-driving on the day that he was due to stand trial.

Prosecutor Karen Yuill told Greenock Sheriff Court: "Once the vessel was on open water the witness began collecting tickets.

"He approached a black BMW and spoke to the driver, whom he observed to be intoxicated.

"The driver was sluggish in his movements and his speech was slurred.

"The witness alerted the captain who in turn contact the police."

Fiscal depute Ms Yuill added: "Police arrived and observed the BMW disembarking from the ferry.

"Officers stopped the vehicle within the ferry terminal car park.

"As well as the accused in the car there was another male in the front passenger seat.

"Officers detected a strong smell of alcohol and the accused's eyes appeared to be red and watery.

"He provided a roadside breath reading of 57mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.

"The accused was arrested and conveyed to Greenock police office where he provided a further two specimens of breath, with the lower reading being 45mcg of alcohol."

The legal limit is 22mcg.

Frankgate, of Banff Road, committed the offence on the morning of October 1 last year.

He was stopped at the Western Ferries terminal at McInroy's Point.

His not guilty pleas to driving the car without displaying 'L' plates and without insurance were accepted.

Defence lawyer Amy Spencer said: "Mr Frankgate had been in Dunoon at a log cabin with his girlfriend and friends.

"Large quantities of alcohol were consumed at night and in the morning when it was time to go home Mr Frankgate was the designated driver.

"He says that he felt fine but clearly he was unfit to drive.

"Mr Frankgate was taking driving lessons at the time."

Sheriff James Varney told Frankgate: "You understand that this is a serious offence."

The sheriff disqualified him from driving for 15 months and imposed a fine of £250.