A TEENAGER who took a friend home after he had been drinking has paid the price with his driving licence and possibly his job.

Burnley magistrates heard how Dean Elms, 18, told police he had only had two pints but was later proved to be one and a half times the limit.

Elms, of Mitton Avenue, Barrowford, admitted driving with excess alcohol and no insurance. He was fined £150, banned for 12 months and told to pay £35 costs.

The bench told him they knew he would feel the offences were "one of those nights which had never happened."

Sue Riley, prosecuting, told the court that about 12.30am police officers in Wheatley Lane Road, Fence, followed a car and the defendant got out of the driver's seat.

When officers spoke to him, he smelled of drink and he then gave a positive breath test. Elms was arrested and cautioned and said he had two pints.

The lower of two police station tests showed 51 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit is 35.

Bill Berry, defending, said Elms had been out with friends, left his car at home and had not intended to drive. Mr Berry said part of Elms' duties at work involved driving and when he told his bosses he was due in court, he was sent home. He knew he was liable to be dismissed if he was convicted of any offence.