The chairman of Craven’s pubwatch scheme has been re-elected, despite being convicted of drink-driving.

John Garton, 42, offered to resign from Stopping Trouble and Night-time Disorder (STAND) after Skipton magistrates banned him from driving for two years. He had admitted being almost three times over the limit.

He had been driving home after working behind the bar at a pub during the Skipton Waterway Festival.

Mr Garton, STAND chairman for five years, said he had offered to resign at last week’s committee meeting.

But, after receiving the backing of licensees, he will continue to head the body responsible for banning people from local pubs for drunken and unruly behaviour.

Craven Safety Community Partnership has North Yorkshire Police members who also sit on the STAND committee. A spokesman for the partnership said: “The appointment of the chairman is a matter for the STAND committee and we would not hope to influence any decision.

“However, we would wish to remind the committee of the need to appoint someone who has the integrity and credibility to lead STAND as an example in seeking to improve standards of behaviour around the consumption of alcohol.”

But Mr Garton said he had been given the full backing of the committee and the partnership had nothing to do with STAND.

“I offered my resignation, but it was unanimously refused. There was no one there from Craven Community Safety Partnership, but the police were in attendance and I got the backing of the licensees,” he said.

Mr Garton said STAND operated separately from the partnership.

STAND represents around 100 pubs and clubs and produces a list of people banned for troublesome – including drunken – behaviour.

Those under threat of appearing on the banned list can go before the committee to argue their case.

As well as banning people from pubs and clubs, STAND gives out advice warning people against drink-driving, especially at Christmas and other times traditionally known for excessive drinking.

North Yorkshire Police have just launched a campaign urging people not to drink and drive during the Football World Cup.