A school governor who drove his car while over the drink drive limit has been given a 16-month ban.

Property developer Peter Lay, who is chairman of the governors at Ridgeway School and the Devizes Development Partnership, was disqualified after admitting driving his Land Rover on Brimble Hill, Wroughton, while over the legal limit.

As well as the ban, Lay was fined £415 and ordered to pay £60 court costs.

One parent says the conviction has made it impossible for Lay to remain as chairman of the governors. But a fellow governor insists it does not affect his ability to do the job.

Lay, 50, of Beranburh Field, Wroughton had 53 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 ml blood in his system when he was breathalysed on July 20. The legal limit is 35 microgrammes.

Swindon Magistrates' Court, sentencing Lay last month, said that his ban could be reduced by four months if he completes a drink driving rehabilitation course before May 25 next year.

A Ridgeway parent, who wished to remain anonymous said: "What sort of example is this to set the youths of today?

"I think it is absolutely untenable for him to be able to keep his position given what has happened. I think he has to leave."

Lay, who appeared in court under his full name of Harold Peter Lay, was voted chairman of the governors of the Wroughton secondary school during his first meeting in 2005.

Fellow governor John Newman said he did not feel that Lay's conviction would affect his ability to hold the post.

He said Lay had informed the board of governors about his impending conviction before appearing in court. "He offered to resign on the basis that he knew he was going to court and knew he was going to plead guilty," he said.

"He offered his resignation but we refused to accept it. He will stand again as chairman in the election in September.

"Myself and Peter have had our differences of opinion about a wealth of things but it has nothing to do with whether or not he has been charged or convicted of drink-driving and this doesn't affect his ability to be chairman of the governors in any way shape or form."

Lay was unavailable for comment yesterday.