A banned driver who was handed the keys to a works van by a colleague was caught by police drunk driving while going for a late night takeaway.

Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard how Matthew Lord drove the van to a McDonald's restaurant while more than 2.5 times the drink drive limit and was stopped by police.

Lord, 27, of Glen Top, Newchurch Road, Bacup, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.

He was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison, suspended for two years, with 20 days rehabilitation activity requirement.

He was banned from driving for three years and ordered to pay a £154 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

Ceejay Kok, prosecuting, said a police officer had just completed a stop check when a van went past at speed heading towards Rawtenstall.

The officer followed and saw the van in the McDonalds drive thru with no lights on.

When he pulled out onto the dual carriageway he almost hit the kerb and then started to roll back after stopping at a red light.

Miss Kok said Lord initially provided false details but his true identity was established at the police station.

She said Lord, who gave a reading of 93 micrograms of alcohol in 100ml of breath against the legal limit of 35mcg, was banned for an excess alcohol offence in 2021 and had a conviction for disqualified driving in August.

Mark Williams, mitigating, said his client, an ex-paratrooper, worked as a landscape gardener.

He had gone for a drink with workmates on Friday.

"A colleague was driving the van and at some stage he handed the keys to my client and asked him to look after them so he wouldn't be tempted to drive," said Mr Williams.

"Unfortunately, with the keys in his pocket, my client was tempted and he drove home via McDonalds."