A MAN leapt into action when he believed his two friends were leaving him behind at a seaside resort, a court was told.

Andrew Crilley drove off after them even though he was banned from the road.

Crilley, 20, of Padgate Road, Burnley, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified, without insurance or an MOT and failing to answer bail.

He was ordered to do 100 hours unpaid work for the community, pay £40 costs and banned from the road for 12 months by Blackpool magistrates.

Pamela Reiss, prosecuting, said on July 23 at 11.20pm police in Central Blackpool saw the defendant drive through a temporary red traffic light. When stopped Crilley admitted he was disqualified.

He had been banned for six months until November for having no insurance.

Paul Robinson, defending, said that Crilley came to Blackpool in a car with one friend driving. Another friend followed behind in another car.

The defence added: "He was sat in one of the cars when he saw the two friends going past in the other vehicle. He thought they were driving out of Blackpool and leaving him. So he got into the driver's seat and set off after them."