A MAN who crashed into the back of another car left the scene before police arrived.

Blackburn magistrates heard officers arrested two hours later after they responded to reports of a man causing a disturbance in Whipp Avenue, Clitheroe.

Harry Allerston, 25, of Main Street, Sutton on Derwent, York, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol and failing to stop after an accident. He was fined £484 with £85 costs and £45 victim surcharge and banned from driving for 18 months.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said the BMW X6 driven by Allerston ran into the back of a Chevrolet in Whalley Road, Clitheroe at about 1.40am. The airbags on both cars had been deployed and the fire brigade and ambulance attended.

At 3.50am police received reports of a man causing a disturbance in Whipp Avenue. Allerston was arrested and gave a breathalyser reading of 67 against the legal limit of 35 three hours after the accident.

Michael Trevelyan, defending, said Allerston had gone out after work and the intention was to leave his car and pick it up the following day.

A taxi was booked to take him and his friend home and actually picked them up. They stopped the taxi to get cash to pay and the vehicle left.

"At that point he made the foolish decision to drive home," said Mr Tevelyan.

"He recalls that when he got out of the car he went to get help. He began knocking on doors in the early hours and that appears to be what has caused a resident to call the police."