A MOTORIST who used cannabis to ease anxiety failed a drug test.

Blackburn magistrates heard Theodore Gkazaev was seen driving on the M65 and when he was stopped the officers could smell cannabis on him.

Gkazaev, 31, of John Street, Clayton-le-Moors, pleaded guilty to drug driving. He was fined £120 with £85 costs and £32 victim surcharge and banned from driving for 12 months.

Ian Huggan, defending said his client was a Greek national who came to the UK in 2017 and now lived with his wife and two young children.

"He is a self-employed market trader and the inevitable ban is going to hit him hard," said Mr Huggan.

He said his client smoked cannabis every other day to help with anxiety.