ROYSTON S deputy mayor Councillor Chris Barton has been banned from driving after a drink-drive offence. Cllr Barton is also currently chairman of Royston Town Council s highways and general purposes committee: a committee which at times discusses road sa

ROYSTON'S deputy mayor Councillor Chris Barton has been banned from driving after a drink-drive offence.

Cllr Barton is also currently chairman of Royston Town Council's highways and general purposes committee: a committee which at times discusses road safety issues.

Conservative councillor Chris Barton, 60, of Siskin Close, admitted a charge of drink driving when he appeared at Stevenage Magistrates' Court last Thursday.

He has been disqualified from driving for 18 months and fined £180.

He was also ordered to pay £87 costs and has been offered a HAPAS course - a drink drive alcohol awareness course.

He was charged with drink-driving after being stopped by police in the evening of January 17 in Melbourn Street, Royston. A breath test revealed 61mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath - twice the legal limit.

When the Crow went to press yesterday (Wednesday), it was unable to contact Cllr Barton.

Cllr Barton was re-elected to the town council last May after representing the Heath ward for the previous four years.

During that four year spell on the town council he was a member of the highways committee.

In his election address in May, Cllr Barton said: "My main concern is improving road safety throughout Royston."

Cllr Barton was due to become Mayor of Royston in May.