A MAN who turned to alcohol after being diagnosed with cancer failed a breathalyser as he drove home from a night out.

Blackburn magistrates heard Howard Clayton attracted the attention of the police because he was driving at 24mph on a national speed limit road.

Clayton, 52, of Whalley Road, Great Harwood, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol. He was fined £583 with £85 costs and £58 victim surcharge and banned from driving for 24 months. The court heard Clayton gave a reading of 94 against the legal limit of 35.

Richard Prew, defending, said his client had no previous convictions and was in full-time employment.

He said having been diagnosed with cancer and starting a 12 -month chemotherapy course Clayton had started drinking more than he should as he tried to cope with the news he had been given.

On the day of the incident he had been for a night out in Clitheroe and found it difficult to get a taxi.

"He made the foolish decision to drive and in the end was pulled over because he was driving too slowly rather than too quickly," said Mr Prew.

"It has been a chastening experience for him. He has stopped drinking and he is a man you will not see before the courts again."