POLICE called to a road smash found a damaged Mercedes and a man pushing a car backwards down the road, Burnley magistrates heard.

The court was told Roland Barry Noble admitted he was the driver at the time of the accident. He smelled strongly of drink and while later receiving a check-up at hospital gave a blood sample.

The test revealed 190 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood - the legal limit is 80.

Noble, of Parklands View, Burnley, admitted driving with excess alcohol on Rossendale Road, Burnley, on January 11. He was fined £100, with £50 costs, and banned for 20 months. He had no previous convictions.

Mark Irlam, defending, said Noble had been to his local pub, had about four pints and was going to walk home.

A torrential downpour then started and he stupidly got behind the wheel. He had co-operated with police.