A 26-YEAR-old Accrington man, disturbed as he attempted to hook a trailer loaded with timber to the back of his Transit van, was later chased by police.

Blackburn magistrates heard that John Johnstone reached speeds of 60mph as they pursued him along the A59 towards Whalley.

At one stage, he pulled out of a line of traffic on to the opposite side of the road and forced oncoming traffic off the road to avoid a collision.

Johnstone, of Whinney Hill Caravan Park, Huncoat, pleaded guilty to attempted theft of a £1,000 trailer belonging to James Hargreaves, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and driving with excess alcohol. The case was adjourned until June 27 for the preparation of pre-sentence reports.

Eddie Harrison, prosecuting, said James Hargreaves owns farm premises at Ribchester and had seen Johnstone in his yard with a Transit van at 9.30 in the morning. Johnstone uncoupled a trailer loaded with timber from a pick-up, but was then challenged and drove off.

Mr Harrison said the chase that followed was aggravated by the fact that, at the time, Johnstone was a disqualified driver and was also over the drink drive limit.

Graham Parkinson, defending, said his client had not deliberately gone out to drive under the influence of alcohol, it was a morning after situation.

He said Johnstone had gone out looking for work and had been tempted when he came across the trailer.

"His driving was not excusable and he accepts that he drove too fast and should have stopped," said Mr Parkinson.