A MAN driving a skip wagon which crashed into a parked car only had a licence to drive a car.

Blackburn magistrates heard Richard Westwood needed a licence to drive seven-and-a-half-ton vehicle to be legally behind the wheel of the vehicle.

And when police caught up with him he was found to be over the legal drink drive level.

Westwood, 34, of Spring Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol and other than in accordance with a licence. He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 20 days rehabilitation activity requirement and ordered to pay £85 costs and £95 victim surcharge. He was banned for 15 months.

Tessa Kenyon, prosecuting, said a member of the public reported the collision between the skip loader and a parked car in Wesley Street, Blackburn. He said he believed the driver, who had left the scene, was drunk.

Westwood was stopped driving the wagon on Alan Ramsbottom Way, Great Harwood.

Aftab Bakhat, defending, said his client had been working as a labourer and was contacted by his boss one morning and asked if he could drive a wagon.

"He was frightened of losing his job and foolishly told them he could," said Mr Bakhat. "He just wanted to keep his job."