THE case of a serving Avon and Somerset Police officer accused of drink driving while on duty has been sent to a court outside the county.

James Matthew Hadley Hayward, 20, who lives in a village on the outskirts of Taunton, appeared before Taunton Magistrates' Court on Friday.

The court heard that he is charged with driving a Ford Fiesta on the A358 at Blackbrook, Taunton on March 12 this year while over the limit.

Haywood did not enter a plea.

It is alleged that the proportion of alcohol in his breath was 74 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath, more than double the legal limit for driving of 35 micrograms.

Haywood was remanded on unconditional bail and ordered to appear at North and East Devon Magistrates' Court sitting at Exeter Magistrates' Court on May 4.

The reasons given for the adjournment was to allow him to enter a plea.

Haywood was due to appear at an Avon and Somerset misconduct hearing tomorrow (Wednesday), but the listing has been removed from the force website.