A drunk driver from Romford was caught travelling the wrong way down the M25 in his van.

Jake Port, of Whalebone Lane North, was pulled over by officers as he drove the wrong way from Brook Street roundabout towards the M11 junction.

Police had been deployed to the scene after receiving multiple 999 calls from the public in the early hours of February 21.

The 35-year-old was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving. When breathalysed at the roadside, it was found he was twice the legal drink drive limit.

During his interview at Grays police station, Port admitted driving the wrong way down the road.

He said this was because the closure of the other side of the motorway for roadworks meant he was running out of fuel.

Police charged Port with dangerous driving and drink driving, and he was remanded into custody to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court the next day.

Last Tuesday (July 23), Port was jailed for a year and fined £200. He was also disqualified from driving for two years and eight months.

PC Dale Barnes, an Essex roads policing officer, said: “Having this level of alcohol in your system means you may think you are a competent driver, but your reactions and judgement are impaired.

“This is a dangerous combination.

“We’re very grateful to the motorists who called 999 that night to ensure that other motorists weren’t put further at risk by Port’s actions, and to bring the incident to a stop.

“Frankly, Port is fortunate that a serious collision didn’t happen.”