A MAN who went to visit a friend in Lancaster prison was arrested himself when British Transport Police officers smelled cannabis on him as he got off the train.

Blackburn magistrates heard a small quantity of the drug was found on Joshua Houlgrave on that occasion.

When he was stopped on suspicion of disqualified driving four months later police also found a small quantity of cannabis.

Houlgrave, 24, of Derby Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to two charges of possessing cannabis, driving while disqualified and without insurance. He was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Carl Gaffney, prosecuting, said Houlgrave had been banned for two and a half years for a dangerous driving offence in 2017.

"He has completed that ban but with all dangerous driving convictions there is a requirement to pass an extended re-test," said Mr Gaffney.

"That has not been done so the defendant remains disqualified."

Duncan Nightingale, defending, said his client had made a mistake.

"He had completed the period of disqualification and thought that was it," said Mr Nightingale.

He said on both occasions Houlgrave had a small amount of cannabis consistent with personal use.