A P plater has been charged with drink driving after abandoning his car in the middle of the Nowra CBD and trying to run from police.

The 20 year old from South Nowra was spotted in Berry Street about 2 yesterday morning.

When he saw police the man did a U turn and headed into Junction Street, stopped got out of the vehicle, and tried to flee the scene.

Police gave chase on foot, and the man was arrested a short distance away.

He later returned a breath reading of point 120, which is more than twice the limit for a fully licenced driver.

The man's licence was suspended on the spot and he has been ordered to appear in Nowra Local Court later this month.