A DRIVER who caused £1,000 worth of damage to another car as he tried to squeeze through a gap was found to be more than four times the legal drink-drive limit.

Blackburn magistrates heard Lithuanian Saulius Latakus had no previous convictions and had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

And District Judge James Clarke told him those factors had saved him from an immediate prison sentence.

"A reading that high would normally have the court considering an immediate imprisonment," he said.

Latakus, 36, of Napier Street, Nelson, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.

He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with a condition he attends the drink impaired drivers course and complete 120 hours unpaid work. He was banned for 30 months and ordered to pay £85 costs and £90 victim surcharge.

The court heard Latakus gave a reading of 143 against the legal limit of 35.

Janet Sime, defending, said Latakus was normally in work but had lost his last job after Christmas.

"He has been waiting for the outcome of this hearing before applying for another job," said Mss Sime.