A MAN is being quizzed by police over what officers said was one of the worst cases of drink driving they had ever seen.

Witnesses saw a Peugeot 207 crash down an embankment in Great Harwood at 8.30am yesterday.

It is believed the car ended up on its side before momentum took it back upright.

The vehicle was left with extensive body work damage and just three tyres.

But - with the windscreen smashed and twigs and leaves in the radiator grill - it was driven three miles to Blackburn so it could be fixed at a garage.

When the vehicle arrived at Perry's in Whalley New Road, staff said the driver asked them to have a look at the vehicle, saying: "The car's not driving right".

Police had earlier been alerted by two witnesses in Great Harwood, who had followed the vehicle to the garage.

Officers turned up and arrested a 54-year-old man from Great Harwood on the suspicion of drink driving.

Sgt Chris Driver, road policing unit, said the police believed the allegations represented one of the worst cases for someone being over the drink drive limit and behind the wheel so early in the day.

He said: "I would like to commend the members of the public who phoned us - and the garage staff - for their actions, which could have saved lives."

Steven McGreevy, body shop estimator at Perry's, said: "In 20 years of the job this is the worst state I have seen someone drive their car into a garage in.

"I have never seen anything like it.

"There was a lot of damage to the outside of the car but I should imagine the drive shaft and the suspension would also need some work.

"One of the reception staff gave me the car keys and told me not to let the driver take the car until the police arrived."

Eric Parker, sales advisor, said: "He got out of the car and said 'This car's not driving right'. It certainly wasn't."

Garage staff said they estimated that the damage would cost £5,000 to repair.

As well as the windscreen and tyre damage, the left hand side of the car was dented along the whole length of the vehicle and its wing mirror and petrol cap had been ripped off.

The incident comes as police launched a month-long crackdown on drink driving.

Sgt Driver said: "Although we are running this campaign now, officers will always stop people suspected of drink driving.

"All of Lancashire police's patrol cars carry breathalysers in them, not just the traffic cars.

"People often associate drink driving with going out in the evening, but it can happen at any time of day.

"One problem is residual alcohol, which can be left in the system over night and still affect you when you get up."