Motel office hit by boozed driver

An alleged drink driver who drove his car into a motel office causing $1000 in damage recorded a breath alcohol reading more than three times the legal limit.

Police said the 40-year-old Christchurch man had been attending a daytime wedding before he backed into the Rangiora Lodge Motel office about 10.30pm on Saturday.

Breath-tested in the motel car park, the man recorded a reading of 1260mcg/L. The limit is 400mcg/L.

"The only way he'd achieve a level like that is by drinking over a long period of time," Sergeant Colin Stewart, said.

"He failed to plan how he was getting back to his motel."

The man was charged with driving with excess breath alcohol and is due in the district court next Wednesday.

Motelier Sally Bateup said she and husband Max had been in the motel only six months.

"It was a bit of a shock. It's the first big drama since we've been here," she said.

The man had booked into the motel with his partner for an overnight stay.

"We didn't see anything - just heard the noise.

"I rang the police while my husband took the keys off him so he couldn't drive off."

Mrs Bateup said the man agreed to pay for damage to the office wall.

"He said he wasn't sure how close he was.

"Obviously he shouldn't have been driving. We're thankful he didn't get on the road and hurt someone."