A 31-year-old man tried to start up a wagon to drive home after a night out drinking in Blackburn centre, a court was told.

Blackburn magistrates heard that when Steven O'Donnell failed to get the lorry started, he turned his attentions to a car which he eventually drove off.

O'Donnell, of Arran Avenue, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to unauthorised taking of a vehicle, driving with excess alcohol and without insurance.

He asked for an offence of vehicle interference to be taken into consideration and the case was adjourned for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Neil White, prosecuting, said O'Donnell had left town in a taxi with friends but he had got out at Brownhill roundabout and started to walk towards Whitebirk.

As he reached Emerald Avenue he broke the window of a lorry and tampered with the ignition and wiring in attempt to start it.

He then broke into the car and after again damaging the ignition managed to drive off in it.

But he was stopped by police nearby.

When he was breathalysed, O'Donnell gave a reading of 82 against the legal limit of 35 and later admitted having about 10 pints of beer before leaving Blackburn in the taxi.