A MAN who was persuaded to have a few drinks when he visited a friend made the foolish decision to drive home.

Blackburn magistrates heard Daniel Day was breathalysed on his way home and found to be nearly double the legal limit.

Day, 38, of Atlas Street, Clayton-le-Moors, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol. He was fined £553 with £85 costs and £55 victim surcharge and banned from driving for 17 months.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said his client accepted he had made a very foolish decision on the night in question.

"He went round to an old friend's house not expecting to have anything to drink but was persuaded to have a few glasses of lager," said Mr Taylor. "He didn't feel it had any affect on him and he decided to drive home."

He said it wasn't going to be easy for his client to continue in his work as a self employed tree surgeon.