A drink-driver who passed out after sleeping in his car was helped by another motorist who found him lying on the road with his trousers down.

Jason Duff's case was described by a prosecutor as one with "unusual circumstances".

Depute fiscal Siobhan Monks said a member of the public was driving along Bo'ness Road in Polmont near Falkirk when he saw Duff's 15-year-old Peugeot 206.

Ms Monks said the Peugeot was stationary but the engine was still running and Duff was not in it.

The motorist stopped and found Duff "lying in the road, under the influence, with his trousers down, falling in and out of consciousness".

Police and an ambulance were called, and Duff was taken to the Forth Valley Royal Hospital following the incident on May 31 last year.

A blood sample for alcohol analysis was taken at the infirmary some three hours after Duff was found and showed he was still more than twice the legal limit for driving.

Duff told police at the hospital he had an argument with his girlfriend the night before, left her house, parked in a lay-by and drunk some alcohol before falling asleep in his car.

When he woke up, the father-of-one decided to drive to work but felt unwell, stopped his car and got out, but could remember nothing more.

Solicitor advocate Stephen Biggam, defending, said: "He had become dehydrated -- that's why he passed out."

On Thursday at Falkirk Sheriff Court, Duff, 44, of Cowdenbeath, Fife pleaded guilty to drink driving.

The court was told Duff had an unspent previous drink-driving conviction.

His lawyer added: "He is dealing with his alcohol problems."

Sheriff John Mundy banned Duff from driving for four years, ordered him to perform 200 hours of unpaid work and placed him under social work supervision for 18 months.

He added: "This is a serious matter. The court does have the power to impose a custodial sentence but it would be better for you to receive some kind of structured support."