A man who crashed his car on the way home from the pub was found to be more than double the drink drive limit.

Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard Matthew Hicks had never previously had a penalty point on his licence, and since the incident has laid off the booze after realising it was a problem for him.

After the crash he blew 73 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath, more than double the legal limit of 35mcg.

Hicks, 33, of Ward Way, Rawtenstall, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol, and was handed a two year disqualification from driving.

He was also fined £750 and ordered to pay a £300 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

The incident occurred in Burnley Road, Rossendale, on November 30, when Hicks was driving his Audi RS3.

Damien Pickup, mitigating, said his client had gone to the pub after work and then made the foolish decision to drive home.

He said: “He was involved in a collision with another car on the way home and to his credit he checked on the welfare of the other driver and remained at the scene.

“While he was in the cells it dawned on him that alcohol had become a little problematic.

“He accepted the offer of the custody sergeant to refer him to Inspire. He has attended there ever since and this is his 100th day without a drink.”

Mr Pickup said Inspire had now asked his client to be a mentor for others who found themselves in the same position.