A MAN who went for a drink to drown his sorrows only made things worse.

Blackburn magistrates heard Gordon Hargreaves was going through a marriage breakdown and his mother had been diagnosed with cancer.

But on the way home from his lunch time drink he was stopped by police and failed a breathalyser.

"On top of all his other problems he now looses his good character, his driving licence and his job," said Richard Prew, defending.

Hargreaves, 46, of Audley Range, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol. He was fined £120 with £85 costs and £30 victim surcharge and banned from driving for 12 months.

Tracy Yates, prosecuting, said police on patrol saw a car being driven by Hargreaves swerve and hit the kerb.

When they stopped Hargreaves admitted he had a drink and said it was because he was going through a marriage break up.

Mr Prew said his client worked as an engineer for a company that owns a chain of launderettes.

"Without his licence he can't get to the shops and sadly he will lose his job," said Mr Prew. "As well as the marriage break down, about eight weeks ago his mum was diagnosed with cancer and he was at a very low ebb."