A DRIVER involved in a car accident admitted to police he had not only been drinking but had taken ecstasy tablets as well, a court heard.

Rochdale Magistrates heard assistant store manager Andrew William Tinker, 20, of Plantation Street, Rawtenstall, was nearly twice the legal limit when the accident occured in Manchester Road in the town. He was banned from driving for 18 months and fined £200 with £55 costs.

Tinker, who works at a local supermarket, had been driving a car in the early hours when police received reports of an accident. Officers saw a car which appeared to have been abandoned. They not only found the car parked at an angle facing the pavement but also that the driver and passenger were still inside. The front nearside of the vehicle had extensive damage.

The officers approached the driver who smelled of drink. Tinker admitted he was the driver and had had a crash. He confirmed he had been drinking.

He then said:"Look, I'll be honest with you. I've had a drink and two ecstasy tablets. Just take my licence. I should not be allowed on the road. Just take my licence from me."

A test at Rochdale Police Station showed him to have 65 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath in his system compared with the legal level of 35 in 100.