Football: Wayne Rooney says he's 'really enjoying' community service

Footballer Wayne Rooney said community service is a "refreshing" place. Photo / Getty

Everton striker Wayne Rooney has said his drink-driving punishment of community service has been "refreshing" and "relaxing".

Rooney, who was sentenced to complete 100 hours of unpaid work, said he has felt welcomed at the garden centre and has been "really enjoying it".

The 32-year-old admitted being nearly three times over the legal limit when stopped by police in September and was banned from driving for two years.

"I knew straight away I had made a stupid mistake and I have to move on," Rooney told Talksport.

Rooney, who earns more than NZ$280 thousand a week, said that community service has been a refreshing place.

"Honestly, I'm really enjoying it, working with these people, and I think it's a place now where I'll certainly keep in touch with when obviously my hours are over."

The striker said the staff there were "doing a fantastic job" and made him "feel really welcome".

Wayne Rooney is an Everton striker and the former England and Manchester United captain. Photo / Getty

Asked if he got any "stick", Rooney said: "No, not at all".

"We actually don't even talk about football in there. It's a refreshing place to go and it's relaxing," he said.

The former England and Manchester United captain was stopped by police in the early hours of 1 September, after they noticed a rear light wasn't working.

After failing a roadside breath test, the footballer was taken to a police station where he produced a reading of 104 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit in Wales is 35 micrograms.