A BANNED drink driver who smashed his car and then walked off, has been jailed for almost six months.

Burnley magistrates heard how Mark Anderson, 41, had been on prison licence for similar offences and was subject to two disqualifications, when he hit a wall on High Lane, Salterforth, on Sunday.

The defendant, of Windsor Place, Barnoldswick, admitted driving while disqualified, driving with excess alcohol, failing to stop and no insurance. He was sent to custody for four months to be served after the six weeks unexpired portion of his previous sentence.

John Wood, prosecuting, told the court police were called to reports a motorist had hit a wall and then headed off towards the canal.

Officers found the defendant and established he was the car driver. He admitted he had been drinking and was arrested.

The lower of two tests showed 43 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit is 35. When he was questioned, the defendant said he had had to swerve to avoid another car and crashed into the wall.

Mark Irlam, defending, said Anderson had gone 23 years without appearing in court but last August had been convicted of drink driving and his life had gone downhill since.

In March last year, the defendant's wife left him without giving him any reason and he turned to drink. He knew he would be going back to prison but hopefully at some point in the future he could get some help for his alcohol problems.

Mr Irlam said Anderson had had three pints at his local and was on his way to a friend's house. He knew he shouldn't have been driving and walked down the canal. He was taken into custody and made full admissions.

The solicitor went on: "Clearly he needs to talk though these issues rather than turn to the bottle."