A BANNED driver got behind the wheel after a phone call from his wife who was panicking about missing her flight back to Lithuania.

Blackburn magistrates heard Mantas Malalakauskas borrowed a car from a friend and came to the attention of the police after he stopped on the hard shoulder of the M62 to top up the oil.

Malalakausas, 40, of Fern Bank, Nelson, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and without insurance.

He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 250 hours unpaid work and 10 days rehabilitation activity requirement and ordered to pay £85 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

The court heard Malalakauskas was banned for 38 months for driving with excess alcohol in August. That ban was extended for a further six months for the latest offences.

Alex Mann, prosecuting, said as well as the conviction in August the defendant had a conviction for excess alcohol in 2011.

Glenn Smith, defending, said his client's wife had got a taxi to take her and their children to the railway station.

He had worked a night shift and was in bed when he received a phone call from her.

"She had missed her train and was panicking because she thought she was going to miss her flight," said Mr Smith.

"He tried to get someone to run them to the airport and contacted everyone he knew."

Mr Smith said eventually a friend said he couldn't pick them up but offered him the use of his car.