ENGLAND cricketer Liam Plunkett has apologised for his 'inexcusable behaviour' after being banned from the roads for drink driving.

The Durham and England fast bowler was given a 20-month driving ban and fined £2,000 at Teesside Magistrates court on Monday after admitting that he downed six pints of bitter at a fashion show.

The court heard the 21-year-old had been at Tall Trees nightclub in Yarm, near Stockton, on October 19 last year, where he was modelling suits for a tailor friend.

During the fashion show, he downed six pints, but still decided to drive himself home to Thurnham Grove, in Marton, Middlesbrough.

While driving home he stopped at traffic lights on Green Lane in Yarm, but his foot slipped off the brake of his Volkswagen 4x4, causing him to crash into the back of another car.

He was breathalysed, where he tested more than double the legal drink driving alcohol limit.

Outside the court, his lawyer, Robert Platts, read a pre-prepared statement from the disgraced star.

It read: "I am deeply sorry for what I did and there is simply no excuse for it. I want to apologise to the police, friends and colleagues.

"I accept I am a role model, especially for youngsters, and for this reason I am deeply upset by my actions.

"My cricket career is extremely precious to me and I am determined not to waste the amazing opportunity given to me."

The court heard that the £2,000 fine was one and a half times his weekly wage.

In mitigation, lawyer Mr Platts said Plunkett felt humiliated by what he had done.

He said: "He feels deeply sorry because it has put him in an extremely embarrassing position.

"As you may know, he is an England cricketer and was, until recently, playing the Ashes series in Australia.

"He wishes to apologise to Durham cricket club."

Mr Platts said there might yet be a claim for whiplash by the driver of the other vehicle.

But, he added: "On the positive side, at the age of 21 he was selected to play as a fast bowler for England. He had considerable success in the Tri-Nations series.

"He understands now that at the age of 21 he is a role model and he has let the side down badly when he acted as irresponsibly as he did."

In sentencing, chairwoman of the bench, Joy Carroll, said: "We are obviously aware that you create a very poor example and you are a very poor role model."

Plunkett was also fined £50 costs.