A father-of-four who turned up drunk in his car to pick up his children from school had been downing cider all day with his friends.

Marc Curno had been drinking when he got in his Black Ford Galaxy to pick up his kids from school.

He had his youngest child in the car along with two of his drinking buddies.

But when he arrived at Napier Community Primary School in Gillingham to collect two of his children, staff stopped him from leaving as they had concerns.

Curno was kept in the reception area to wait for police and when officers arrived they breathalysed him.

The 50-year-old gave a reading of 76 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – more than twice the legal limit which is 35.

Curno, of Ferndale Road, Gillingham, was arrested and later charged with drink-driving.

He admitted the offence when he appeared before magistrates in Medway on April 5.

Magistrates were told the incident happened on March 2 after Curno had turned up at the school in Napier Road.

The reading he gave that day meant he was more than twice the legal limit.

Debbie Jones prosecuting said: "It was about 3.30pm and he drove to Napier Community Primary School in Gillingham, to collect two of his children and he had one child in the car with him.

"Staff thought he was abusing alcohol and drugs and called the police.

"Officers arrived and the defendant was in the reception area and he was given a breath test an gave a reading of 76."

The court also heard Curno had been drinking cider with friends that day after he'd dropped his children at school and had bought the Ford Galaxy two days before the incident.

After sobering up, the court also heard Curno, who is on universal credit, was very emotional about what he'd done.

Magistrates were told he was separated from the mother of his children and disputed he took drugs and had taken steps to stop drinking after the incident.

Defending himself he said: "I made a massive mistake. I am trying all I can to stop drinking. I also had a fire at my home and it's all been like a bad dream."

Magistrates banned Curno from driving for 12 months and fined him £120 and ordered he pay a victim surcharge of £48 and £85 costs.

If he completes a drink-driving course, his ban will be reduced by a quarter.