A MAN jumped the gun in getting behind the wheel after a driving ban.

Blackburn magistrates heard that when Simon Blackledge received the DVLA letter telling him to re-apply for his licence, he mistakenly thought he was free to drive when he, in fact, still had two months to go.

Blackledge, 22, of Tintern Crescent, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and with excess alcohol.

He was made subject of a community rehabilitation order for 18 months, with a condition that he attends the alcohol and substance-related offending programme.

He was also disqualified from driving for three years and fined £100 for having no insurance.