A CHEF who had just picked up a new car for his wife crashed into a parked car on his way home.

Blackburn magistrates heard police were called to the 1.30pm crash after the owner of the other car smelled alcohol on Krzystof Galek.

Galek, 38, of Whalley Road, Clitheroe, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol and without insurance.

He was fined £280 with £85 costs and £30 victim surcharge and banned from driving for 18 months.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said the collision occurred on Whalley Road, Wilpshire.

As the owner of the parked vehicle was trying to exchange details with Galek he smelled alcohol on him and rang the police.

Duncan Nightingale, defending, said Galek, who works as a chef at the Three Fishes in Mitton, had taken a taxi from Clitheroe to Blackburn to buy the car for his wife and was driving it home when a tyre burst, dragging him into the other car.

"He accepts he had drunk a lot the night before and had another beer before going for the car," said Mr Nightingale.