A MAN who responded to a distress call from his partner was stopped and failed a breathalyser.

Blackburn magistrates heard Mark David Friend had driven from Manchester before he was stopped on the A59 at Osbaldeston.

Friend, 25, of Asturian Gate, Ribchester, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol. He was fined £346 with £34 victim surcharge and £85 costs and disqualified from driving for 21 months.

The court heard he gave a reading of 80 against the legal limit 35.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said officers on the A59 saw a Range Rover heading towards them at excessive speed. They turned round and followed until the car pulled over at the end of a driveway.

"When the defendant got out of the car the officer formed the opinion he was drunk," said Miss Allan.

Ben Leech, defending, said his client had been out with a friend in Manchester and they were staying in a hotel. About 3am he got a call from his partner, who had been out in Whalley with her friends.

"She was clearly distressed and said she was walking from Whalley to Ribchester," said Mr Leech.

"He had been in bed since midnight and thought he wouldn't be affected by the alcohol. He made the foolish decision to drive to the aid of his partner."