A WORCESTERSHIRE councillor says it is "easy" to breach the drink driving limit - defending Adrian Hardman by saying his generation would barely think about the consequences.

Councillor Pam Davey, a Conservative at County Hall, has sparked controversy by saying people's attitudes used to be "have another, it won't hurt".

She also told your Worcester News she believes Councillor Hardman, who is quitting as leader next Thursday after being arrested by police and charged with drink driving, should still play "a main part" in the leadership.

The remarks have been criticised by the opposition Labour group, with its leader calling them "clueless".

Councillor Davey was Worcestershire County Council's chairman for 12 months until last May, its leading civic figurehead.

She said: "Not only was Adrian (Hardman) leader for five years, for years prior to that he was deputy and the portfolio holder for finance.

"He's been in charge of the council's finances for years, which I'm very proud of - we've managed to keep libraries open and avoid a lot of things happening and all of that is, to a very large extent, down to Adrian.

"He'll be very sorely missed and I hope he'll still be playing a main part even if he's no longer leader.

"You can't defend drink driving but the tragedy is, it's easy to go over the limit - one of the things many people don't realise is that as you get older alcohol stays in your body longer."

The councillor, who represents Droitwich East, also said he comes from "a generation where you didn't even think about it".

"People's attitudes were 'go on, have another it won't hurt'," she said.

"It's very sad that it happened and I hope Adrian will still be able to play a significant part in the running of the council."

Councillor Hardman, who was stopped by police in Tewkesbury three days before Christmas, has since apologised for "falling short" of the standards required for the top job, calling it "a gross misjudgement".

The 59-year-old will appear before Cheltenham magistrates on Monday, January 18 but has already said he intends to plead guilty and take "whatever punishment" they dish out.

Councillor Peter McDonald, Labour group leader, said: "I was around in the 70s and it's crass stupidity to think everyone had this attitude.

"She's tarring everyone with the same brush, drink driving has killed and maimed a great number of people.

"There can be no excuse for it."

The Conservatives at County Hall are having a secret ballot tomorrow where Councillor Simon Geraghty, the current deputy, is widely expected to be selected new group leader.

A vote will then take place among all 57 councillors across the political parties next Thursday to elect a new council leader.

Despite Councillor Davey's remarks, Councillor Hardman has let it be known that he does not intend to seek any sort of role among the new-look leadership, and will instead sit on the backbenches, representing his division of Bredon.