A PENSIONER who hit a wall and lamppost in Burnley in the early hours was later found to be more than twice the drink-drive limit.

The town's magistrates heard that John Gilbert, 65, had gone to his car to get warm and have a cigarette. The car was in gear, it "lurched forward" and he tried to reverse it.

Gilbert, of Heap Street, Burnley, admitted driving with excess alcohol.

His case was adjourned until today for a probation report. The bench, who said they were thinking of imposing a community rehabilitation order, made an interim driving ban.

The court was told how police were called by a witness. They arrived on Keirby Walk, Burnley, to find the front of Gilbert's car damaged and part of it against the lamppost. The defendant was in the driver's seat, the engine was not running but the key was in the ignition.

Gilbert told police the vehicle had been there for about four hours. He said he had not driven it and appeared to have been drinking.

The defendant gave a positive breath test and was taken to the police station. The lower of two breath tests revealed 78 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit is 35.

Rachel Adamson, defending, said Gilbert had not been intending to drive.

He went to get warm and have a cigarette before getting a taxi, and might have fallen asleep.

Gilbert only used his car for fishing and now conceded it was time to use the bus. He recently had a heart attack. The defendant had a number of offences for alcohol issues, but said he did not have a drink problem.