STAFF at a petrol station saw a man slumped over a pump after driving on to the forecourt late at night.

Blackburn magistrates heard that as security staff went to speak to Andrew Peter Walker two children, aged about 10, got out of the car.

Walker, 36, of Surrey Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and with excess alcohol and was sent to prison for 120 days. He was also disqualified for three years.

The court heard that Walker had previous convictions for both offences.

Emma Kehoe, prosecuting, said Jackie Bryant was working at the Tesco petrol station in Hill Street, Blackburn, when she saw a car pull up at the pumps.

began to stagger about the forecourt.

When the two children got out the security officer contacted the police but before they arrived another car parked bonnet to bonnet with Walker's vehicle.

"It appeared they were going to try and jump start the first vehicle which is clearly not allowed on the forecourt and they were told to stop," said Mrs Kehoe.

Sarah Perkins, defending, said Walker had been struggling with alcohol addiction for a number of years. She said the father of four had worked from the age of 16 until he was 29 when he had been made redundant. "He could not get a job and he went on a downward spiral and started to drink heavily," said Miss Perkins.

"He could not provide for his family and saw his future as very bleak." She said Walker was desperate to control what had become an addiction to alcohol and was terrified at the prospect of going to prison.

"His wife has been in tears this morning and if he goes to prison it will have a profound effect not only on him but on his wife and four children who will wonder where their dad has gone," said Miss Perkins.

"He is genuinely remorseful and concerned about the jeopardy he put his own children and other members of the public in," she added.