A DRIVER stopped just before midday was found to be more than three times the legal drink drive limit.

Blackburn magistrates heard police were alerted by staff at Roosters in Darwen of a possible drink driver and stopped Andrew Williams shortly after.

Williams, 29, of Glenshield Avenue, Hoddlesden, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.

He was fined £600 with £85 costs and £60 victim surcharge and banned from driving for two years.

He gave a reading in breath of 107 against the legal limit of 35.

Tracy Yates, prosecuting, said when Williams was stopped driving a van a large number of empty beer cans were found in the vehicle.

Colleen Dickinson-Jones, defending, said her client, who had no previous convictions, was ashamed to be appearing in court for the first time.

She said he had been out with a friend who was staying at a local hotel and they had ended up drinking through the night.

"He is adamant that he had not had a drink after 9am," said Mrs Dickinson-Jones.