WORLD War Two hero Francis Nickson went over the top during his regular tea-time drink at a working men's club.

Blackburn magistrates heard that the 76-year-old veteran drank much more than his usual one pint and as a result failed a breathalyser on the way home.

Nickson, of Tintern Crescent, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol. He gave a reading of 206 in blood against the legal limit of 80.

He was fined £50 and disqualified from driving for 30 months after defence solicitor.

Andrew Church-Taylor urged the magistrates to place more of an emphasis on the ban because of his client's limited financial circumstances.

He said his client was keen to emphasise that he was not in the habit of driving with excess alcohol.

"He is in the habit of going to Beechwood Working Men's Club each evening at 5pm," said Mr Church-Taylor.

"He has one drink and then he goes home."

He said Nickson was disabled as a result of being wounded in both legs during the war, he was unable to walk far and so drove each night.