BARNOLDSWICK postman Sean Terrence Crowther waited until after midnight before driving home, believing the four or five pints he had drunk earlier in the day would have worn off.

But he subsequently failed a breathalyser administered by police who came across his parked car early in the morning. Crowther, 35, of Stuart Street, Barnoldswick, pleaded guilty to being in charge of a car with excess alcohol.

He was fined £200 with £55 costs and disqualified from driving for six months.

Sarah Perkins, defending, said Crowther had been visiting friends in St Annes and had made the conscious decision that it would not be safe for him to drive home.

He waited until after midnight when he thought he would be under the limit before setting off for home.

"On the way he felt tired and that was the first time he thought it possible that the alcohol might still be affecting him," said Miss Perkins.

"He immediately pulled off the road and at that point had no intention of continuing his journey. He was honest enough to admit to police that he had been driving."