POLICE who came across a car in the middle of the road in the early hours of the morning found the driver slumped over the wheel asleep.

Blackburn magistrates heard the keys were in the ignition and the engine was running.

The court was told, when the officer opened the door and woke Dennis Adam Ellison, he said: “Sorry I fell asleep.”

Ellison, 41, of Ethel Street, Barnoldswick, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.

He was fined £365 with £85 costs and £30 victim surcharge and banned from driving for 20 months.

Ben Leech, defending, said his client had been out with former work colleagues on their Christmas do and was meant to be sleeping at the home of one of his friends.

“He lost contact with that person and when he got to his house couldn’t wake him,” said Mr Leech.

“He decided to sleep it off in his car but at some stage he has woken up and drove off. He has always been very much against drink driving and he is ashamed he has conducted himself in this way.”