A dangerous drug driver who hit a tree as he made desperate attempts to evade a pursuing police officer while high on cocaine and cannabis has been jailed.

On May 21, Imran Hussain was pursued by police through the streets of Colne.

Burnley Crown Court heard how one vehicle was forced to mount the pavement to avoid a crash with his car, while on another road, a taxi was coming the other way and Hussain's vehicle hit a tree as he attempted to squeeze past the cab.

The chase ended when Hussain, who claimed to have smoked cannabis every day for the past 25 years, crashed his vehicle into a parked car.

Police attention was drawn to the car being driven by Hussain at 12.10am because a headlight was out.

The officer turned round and followed Hussain looking for a safe place to stop him and could smell cannabis coming from his vehicle.

When the officer activated his lights and sirens Hussain failed to stop and a pursuit commenced.

Hussain nearly caused a crash when he crossed North Valley Road without stopping, forcing another car to mount the pavement.

The incident with the taxi was in Ruskin Avenue and Hussain eventually crashed in Talbot Street.

A roadside alcohol breath test was negative but a drug swipe was positive for cocaine and cannabis.

Hussain refused to provide a blood sample, claiming he had a fear of needles.

He later admitted taking cocaine that night and smoking cannabis every day since he was 15 years old.

Hussain, 40, of Edge End Avenue, Brierfield, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and failing to provide a specimen for analysis at a hearing in Blackburn Magistrates' Court in May.

Earlier this week he was sentenced to eight months in prison, and disqualified from driving for 18 months, requiring to sit an extended retest if he wants to get behind the wheel of a car again.