A DRINK driver who smashed into a wall in the early hours told police he had had a drink about 10 minutes before.

Burnley magistrates were told how Andrew Higginbottom, 23, later said he had only had a pint but had not eaten for three days.

He was taken to hospital and two hours after the crash was one-and-a-half times the legal limit.

Higginbottom, of Standroyd Drive, Colne, admitted driving with excess alcohol and was fined £100, banned for 12 months and must pay £55 costs.

Tom Snape, prosecuting, said in the early hours police were called to Cotton Tree Lane, Colne, where a badly damaged Ford Fiesta was in the middle of the road.

A lot of debris was covering the area, one wheel was on the opposite side of the road to the car and a three-foot wall had been practically demolished. An officer spoke to the defendant, who said he had been the driver, and his eyes were glazed, his speech slurred and he smelled strongly of drink.

When he was asked when he last had a drink, he said 10 minutes before and after providing a positive roadside breath test said he had only had a pint, but had not eaten for three days.

Mr Snape said Higginbottom was taken to hospital for a check up and then taken to Colne police station. Two hours after the accident, he gave two specimens of breath. The lowest reading was 51 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath -- the legal limit is 35.

Lyn Slater, defending, said Higginbottom was very ashamed and very disappointed in himself to be appearing in court.

He was of previous good character and the offence would have a knock-on effect on his employment.

Mrs Slater said the defendant had lost the car which was his pride and joy and which he had saved up for for a long time.

The vehicle was written off, but he would have to continue paying for it for the next 18 months.