Former England footballer Ray Wilkins has been given a 10-week suspended jail sentence for drinking and driving, the BBC reports.

Wilkins, who pleaded guilty, was seen in his Mercedes in the middle of a bus lane on the A4 in London on 1 July.

Uxbridge Magistrates' Court heard he also struck a kerb and was seen drinking alcohol from a bottle while driving, before attempting a U-turn.

Wilkins, 59, who told the court he was an alcoholic, was nearly three times over the legal limit.

The court was told a passer-by took his keys from the car to prevent an accident from happening.

A police car was flagged down and the officer noticed Wilkins' eyes were "glazed, he was unsteady on his feet and there was a smell of alcohol coming from him".

Wilkins, who played for Manchester United and Milan, told District Judge Tim Boswell he recognised that "abstinence is the only way I can control this situation".

Sentencing the former footballer, the judge said he appreciated that Wilkins had a "genuine desire to change".

In addition to the suspended sentence, he gave Wilkins a four-year driving ban and ordered him to perform 140 hours of community service.

Outside court, Wilkins said: "I will be judged on the crime I have committed and that is 100% (right).

"I only ask I will not be judged on the alcohol problem I have. I am an addict."

Wilkins played 84 times for England including at the 1986 Mexico World Cup.