A 25-year-old man went to bed after a night out before getting up at 6am and driving to help a friend who was stranded.

Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard how Andrew Brown was stopped by police as he went to pick up his friend and a breathalyser showed him to be nearly three times the legal limit.

Brown, of Harwood Street, Darwen, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.

He was fined £500 with £85 costs, £50 victim surcharge and £150 criminal court charge and banned from driving for 15 months.

Damian Pickup, defending, said after getting home from a night out Brown had some food and gone to bed.

His friend phoned at 6am and said he was stranded in the Witton area and asked him to help.

"He should have said no but he felt he would alright to drive," said Mr Pickup.