A SEVEN-year-old boy was left lying in the road after a hit and run accident in Burnley, magistrates were told.

Eyewitnesses said Michael Chadwick had stepped out in front of Michael Blackett's Peugeot 307 car, on March 28, and he could not avoid a collision.

But Blackett, 47, although he stopped a short distance away, panicked and drove off without leaving his details with police, the court heard.

Police later traced Blackett's car, as a passer-by had noted his registration number, the court heard, but he denied being behind the wheel on the day.

Prosecutor Christina Buchanan said CCTV footage was found of Blackett driving the Peugeot around Burnley that day, including stopping off at a supermarket to buy alcohol.

Arrested and interviewed by police, he denied he had been drinking at the time. He insisted he had been 'confused' immediately after the collision and claimed he saw the boy get up and run away.

But Miss Buchanan said this was contradicted by witnesses who recalled having to tend to the injured boy in the road.

The court heard that Blackett, of Latham Street, Burnley, was also pulled over in another car, an Audi A4, on April 30, in Manchester Road, Hapton.

He gave a positive roadside breath test and it was later established that he had a breathlyser reading of 102mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg.

Catherine Fell, defending, said that after the collision her client had 'panicked' as he had never been involved in a crash before.

Blackett, who admitted failing to stop after an accident, failing to report an accident and driving with excess alcohol, was given 12 months probation supervision and banned from driving for two years.