A DESIGN manager almost three times the limit at midday had put the public's lives in danger, a court heard.

Burnley Magistrates were told father-of-three Stuart Place, 41, told police the last drink he had was vodka the night before.

Place, who now has two convictions for drink driving in the last four years, admitted excess alcohol. The defendant, of Lenches Road, Colne, was bailed until June 23 for probation reports and given an interim ban.

David Macro, prosecuting, said police in the Colne area got information about a driver and stopped the defendant on Shaw Street.

His speech was slurred and a test revealed a reading of 101 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 mililitres of breath - the legal limit is 35.

Dylan Bradshaw, defending, said between 1984 and 2000 Place, who was successful and held a self-employed position with a Colne company, led a law abiding lifestyle.

His relationship then broke down, there were difficulties in seeing the children and, while the defendant was leading a normal life by day, in the evening he unwound by drinking.