A construction worker risked a prison sentence to hide the fact he had lost his driving licence, a court heard.

Phillip West, 25, formerly of Ashdown Road, Worthing, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and without insurance on November 7.

Driving while disqualified can result in a jail sentence but Worthing magistrates gave West an 18-month community rehabilitation order.

Prosecutor Gail Purdy said police stopped West as he drove a Ford Escort van along Rowlands Road,Worthing.

He told the officers he was still serving a two-year ban for drink-driving.

Simon Hamilton, in mitigation, said West had not told his employers, JMB, he had been banned because he thought he might be fired.

Mr Hamilton said: "He did not think it would affect his work. Problems arose when he realised he was out of materials and could not continue working because he was the only person assigned to the area."

West was also ordered to pay £55 costs and was disqualified from driving for another year on top the ban he is already serving.