A MAN stopped by police after they received reports of a van being driven erratically on the M65 passed a roadside breathalyser but failed a drug swipe.

Blackburn magistrates heard Sean Wilcock claimed it had been two days since he had taken cocaine but the metabolite was still in his system.

Wilcock, 41, of Fell View, Chorley, pleaded guilty to driving a van on Whitebirk Drive, Blackburn, while over the limit for benzoylecgonine. He was fined £120 with £85 costs and £34 victim surcharge.

Gareth Price, defending, said his client had last used cocaine two days previously and had not appreciated how long it remained in the system.

He said Wilcock had worked as a welder but had been off suffering from depression following the breakdown of a relationship.

"He accepts that at the depths of the depression he was using drugs which weren't good for him," said Mr Price.

"This incident has put a stop to that and he has been working with Inspire in Chorley to sort out his issues."