A MAN who led police on a chase has been banned for 18 months after being convicted of drink-driving.

Magistrates heard how 45-year-old Tom Helliwell was twice over the legal limit when he was stopped by police in Padiham Road, Burnley, on March 18.

The court was told how Helliwell, of Forfar Street, Burnley, had 77 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath when he was driving a Citroen Berlingo van.

The legal limit is 35 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

Helliwell pleaded guilty to drink-driving and a charge of failing to stop when required to do so by a constable in uniform.

For the drink-driving offence he was fined £430, ordered to pay £85 costs and a £43 victim surcharge.

He was given no separate penalty for the failing to stop offence.

A court spokesman said: “Disqualification is obligatory for the offence. The disqualification is to be reduced by 18 weeks if by August 22, 2017, the defendant satisfactorily completes a course approved by the secretary of state.

“The cost of the course will not exceed £250.”