A man stopped because of his erratic driving displayed signs of being under the influence of drugs, a court has heard.

Blackburn Magistrates' Court was told how a subsequent blood test showed Bradley Couzins was above the limit for cocaine and cannabis.

Couzins, 31, of Gillibrand Street, Darwen, pleaded guilty to driving while over the limit for cocaine and BZE and cannabis, driving without insurance and other than in accordance with a licence.

He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 80 hours unpaid work.

He was also banned from driving for 18 months and ordered to pay £85 costs and £114 victim surcharge.

Steven Boteel, prosecuting, said the Mercedes-Benz driven by the defendant was stopped in Hammerton Street, Burnley, because of the erratic way it was being driven.

A check on the Police National Computer showed there was no insurance in place.

"When the defendant got out of the car he was talking quite quickly and behaving erratically," said Mr Botell.

"There were traces of white powder around his mouth and his eyes were bloodshot."

Mr Botell said Couzins admitted to police he had taken cocaine the night before when he was out in Manchester. He held a provisional licence.

Jonathan Taylor, mitigating, said the car was owned by a friend who had received a call from another friend, who was experiencing some difficulties in Burnley and wanted picking up.

"His friend, who owned the vehicle, was in no fit state to drive and my client made the decision to go to the assistance of their friend," said Mr Taylor.

"He accepts he had taken cocaine and cannabis the night before. He doesn't accept he had any white powder around his mouth when he was stopped."

Mr Taylor said the levels of cocaine and its metabolite supported his client's claim that the drug had been taken the night before."

Mr Taylor said his client had been confused about which lane he should be in as he entered Burnley which attracted the attention of the police.