A PRODUCTION manager making an early hours visit to his girlfriend was found to be more than double the legal drink drive limit.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Gregory Penrose had earlier left a works Christmas party because he had a migraine and did not think he would still be over the limit.

Penrose, 28, of Grimshaw Street, Darwen, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol. He was fined £200 with £50 costs and disqualified from driving for two years. Penrose, who gave a reading of 74 against the legal limit of 35, agreed to be referred to the drink driver rehabilitation programme which, if completed successfully, would reduce his ban by up to 25 per cent.

Stephen Parker, defending, said Penrose had told his employers of the incident but they had not indicated whether he would lose his job as a result.