A CHARITY ball proved costly for a Darwen postman who "foolishly" decided to drive home.

Blackburn magistrates heard that James Moffett was three times the legal limit when breathalysed.

Defence solicitor Basharat Ditta said his client could not remember making the decision to drive home, let alone why he had made it.

Moffett, 28, of Newton Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.

He was fined £500 with £65 costs and banned for two years.

Passing sentence, district judge Paul Firth said he was prepared to deal with Moffett on the basis that what happened was "an aberration on a grand scale.

"If you did this again, you would run the risk of a prison sentence," said Mr Firth.

"By your own admission you cannot remember making the decision to drive home and you and a lot of other people are fortunate that nothing more serious happened."

Moffett, who gave a reading of 241 in blood against the legal limit of 80, agreed to be referred to the drink drive rehabilitation programme which, if completed successfully, would reduce his ban by up to 25 per cent.

Eddie Harrison, prosecuting, said Moffett was stopped after his car was seen being driven erratically at 11.35 pm.

Mr Ditta said Moffett had driven to the charity dinner intending to leave his car until the following day.

"That he didn't do that was foolish in the extreme but I cannot put forward a reason on his behalf because he cannot recall making the decision" said Mr Ditta.