British TV presenter Chris Tarrant was caught drink driving after neighbours reported him to the police.

The Who Wants To Be A Millionaire presenter had fallen out with his neighbours 18 months ago over building plans.

The 71-year-old has been banned from driving for 12 months and fined £6000 ($11,400) after he admitted being over the limit while behind the wheel of his Mercedes on December 16.

Tarrant had spent an hour-and-a-half in the Bladebone public house near his home in Bucklebury, West Berkshire, where he was served four brandy and ports before getting into his car.

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A neighbour reportedly put in a call to the authorities after seeing him stumble at the bar before driving home. The incident adds to an already tense relationship with locals after he lodged planning proposals to extend his £2 million home.

Villagers labelled the celebrity "greedy" and said he had been fortunate to get planning permission previously.

Reading Magistrate's Court heard Tarrant's breathalyser reading was 50mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

Prosecutor Hasrat Ali told the courtbar staff and members of the public were concerned when Tarrant decided to drive home, and one saw Tarrant stumble near the bar.

Police went to his house at 2.25pm, 13 minutes after being called.

"Those that attended spoke to Mr Tarrant who commented that he had just drunk three glasses of wine on arrival at his home address. He was asked to sign the pocket notebook to that effect but he refused.

"When he was interviewed by officers he gave a different version of events, stating he had drunk one brandy and one glass of wine at home."

As he left court Tarrant said: "I made a mistake and I paid for it. I shouldn't have driven. Full stop."

Tarrant said he was "very sorry", and that he drank "just enough to be over", adding: "I honestly didn't think I was over, but apparently I was, so fair enough."

Asked if he thought the punishment was fair, he said: "Yes."

Tarrant lodged fresh planning proposals in 2016 to add a two-storey extension - including an extra two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a utility room and a snug - to his property, despite already completing work on a number of occasions.

Villagers said the plans would go against regulations, which state that buildings should not be developed to beyond 50 per cent over their original footprint and accused the council of cherry picking in the TV presenter's favour.

Tarrant, who bought the house for £1.02 million in 2004, is believed to live there with his partner, legal secretary Jane Bird. The Duchess of Cambridge was also brought up in the area.