Banned publican gives away free soft drinks

A publican banned for drink driving is offering free soft drinks to designated drivers after attending a drink drive rehabilitation course.

Andy Marshall is making the gesture to thank drivers who drive their friends for a night out at his pub at Dorrington, near Shrewsbury, Shropshire.

Andy was given a two year driving ban when he appeared before Shrewsbury magistrates after he was stopped by police and found to be more than twice over the legal limit. He volunteered to attend a drink drive rehabilitation course run by Telford Training Consultants (TTC 2000) . "In the past I have been a habitual drink driver," Andy says. "I think that some people of my generation don't realise just how serious it is. I may never get my licence back."

Andy said that he realised the seriousness of drink driving after watching a reconstruction of an accident in which a 17-year-old girl died after being hit by a drunken driver. The video also included an interview with the girl's mother, Lynn Hilton.

"The TTC 2000 course is very good," Andy says. "I have been in the drinks business all my life but I learned quite a lot. Everyone should have this information available to them - and not just when they get caught for drink driving."

TTC 2000 is the largest provider of drink drive rehabilitation courses in the UK. The company's 40+ trainers will educate 9,000 drivers in 800 courses held across 14 counties during 2004. Motorists get up to a quarter off their driving ban when they successfully complete a course. Money paid by motorists to attend the course is re-invested to help create further community education initiatives.

For more information contact TTC 2000 on (01952) 292246 or visit the website at http://www.ttc-uk.com.