A DRINK-driver who hit a road sign and abandoned his car in the early hours later owned up to police.

Burnley Magistrates heard how Paul McCaffrey, 25, was almost twice the limit an hour and a half after the accident.

McCaffrey, of Rossendale Road, Burnley, admitted driving without due care and attention, driving with excess alcohol, no insurance, no driving licence, failing to stop after an accident and failing to report it. The defendant, who makes double glazed windows, was fined £200, with £50 costs and banned from driving for 12 months.

Andrew Robinson, prosecuting, told the court police found a Peugeot 306 with extensive damage after it had hit a road sign in Scotland Road, Nelson.

They went to the home of the defendant, the registered keeper, but nobody was there. Within a few moments, McCaffrey arrived, driven by somebody else.

He was immediately frank with officers and confirmed he had not had a drink since the smash. A breath test showed 64 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit is 35 microgrammes.

Mr Robinson said that when the defendant was interviewed, he said he had dropped off a friend in Nelson, and on his way home lost control of his vehicle. He claimed he had been shocked and had gone to his father's home to call his stepfather to collect him and take him home. McCaffrey told officers he was going to phone the police from home. The defendant had no previous convictions.

McCaffrey, who was not represented, said he had not been in trouble before, had been dazed and thought it best to go and tell someone he had been in an accident.

He added he had been stupid to drink and drive and there was no defence to what he had done. McCaffrey continued: "I had just been out and had a few. I should have left my car. I am sorry."