POLICE went in search of William Preston after his partner phoned to say he was driving a vehicle and had been drinking.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Preston, 35, of Waterloo Close, Blackburn, was stopped as he drove into the street where he lived and subsequently narrowly failed a breathalyser and a blood test. Preston pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol. He was fined £180 with £40 costs and disqualified from driving for 12 months.

He agreed to be referred to the drink drivers rehabilitation programme which, if successful, will reduce his disqualification by three months. Preston gave a reading of 101 in blood against a legal limit of 80.

Daniel King, defending, said Preston had been at a friends house and had a couple of drinks. "He was surprised to be over the limit" said Mr King.