A VAN driver claimed he drove off after colliding with a pedestrian because he was chased by the man's friends and feared for his own safety.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Rhys Ainsworth was routinely breathalysed after the 3.24 pm incident and found to be nearly double the drink drive limit.

Ainsworth, 20, of Perone Crescent, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol. He was banned from driving for 16 months and fined £300 with £95 costs.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said police were called to Corwen Close where they were met by a group of Asian males who said one of them had been hit by a white van. Ainsworth told police he had gone to stop but had been approached by several Asian males and drove off.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said Ainsworth co-operated fully with the police and told them his version of events.

He said Ainsworth had not been drinking that day but accepted he had drunk heavily the day before.

"He works hard as a bricklayer and when he has time off work he sometimes drinks to excess," said Mr Taylor. "He didn't feel under the influence of alcohol and he was surprised to give such a high reading."