A MAN who had smoked cannabis at a friend's birthday party fell foul of the drug driving laws the following day, a court has been told

It was heard at Blackburn Magistrates' Court how Noormohamed Patel was on his way to work when officers smelled cannabis in his car and he was detained on February 24.

A blood test was conducted and Patel tested positive for cannabis at a level above the legal driving limit.

Patel, 35, of Charlotte Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to drug driving in court on Thursday, July 28.

He was fined £346 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £35 victim surcharge, and banned from driving for 12 months.

Briony Cook, prosecuting, said officers could smell cannabis coming from his BMW 3 Series when it was stopped on the forecourt of a petrol station in Preston New Road, Mellor Brook.

They stopped Patel as he drove off and he confirmed he had smoked cannabis the previous night.

Zabair Afzal, mitigating, said his client was travelling to work the day after smoking cannabis at a friend's birthday party.

"It was an isolated incident which he bitterly regrets," said Mr Afzal. "He assures me he will not be appearing before the courts again."