A MAN who was more than twice the legal drink drive limit has been banned for two years.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Mark Anthony Webster was found sat behind the wheel of his car at 2.30am last Sunday after it had half left the road on Whitebirk Roundabout having lost a wheel.

When approached by police he said: "I hold my hand up, I'm over the limit."

Webster, 29, of Blackburn Road, Oswaldtwistle, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol. Having imposed a two-year conditional discharge and the disqualification the magistrates made no order for costs.

Webster, who gave a reading of 86 against the legal limit of 35, agreed to be referred to the drink drive rehabilitation programme which, if completed successfully, could reduce his ban by up to 25 per cent.

Roger Pickles, defending, said as a result of the ban Webster would lose his job as a driver for Newsquest delivering the Lancashire Evening Telegraph and a second job as a driver for a care home.

Mr Pickles said it was particularly sad for Webster who had fought hard to make something of his life. He had a heroin addiction for ten years but had been 'clean' for 18 months.

"That is something he is very proud of," said Mr Pickles. He said Webster had not set out with the intention of drinking and driving but had foolishly decided to take his car home at the end of the night.