POLICE who attended the scene of a crash involving a motorbike followed a trail of fluid which leaked from the bike as it was ridden away.

Blackburn magistrates heard Lukas Swistak was found in an alleyway at the back of St Celia Street, Great Harwood and he later failed a breathalyser.

Swistak, 28, of Brodick Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol and other than in accordance with a licence. He was fined £250 with £85 costs and £30 victim surcharge and banned from driving for 18 months.

Tracey Yates, prosecuting, said Swistak had skidded and crashed his motorbike on St Huberts Road in Great Harwood. People who came out of their homes told him not to ride off because the bike was smoking and had a flat tyre.

"When officers arrived he had driven off but they were able to follow a trail of fluid which was leaking from the bike," said Mrs Yates.

Damien Pickup, defending, said Swistak had been to visit a friend and had drunk three cans of beer. As he was driving home a car braked in front of him causing him to skid.

"He thought he would be alright to drive but clearly he wasn't," said Mr Pickup.