A VICAR is facing a possible jail sentence after getting behind the wheel on the M65 while almost four times the drink-driving limit.

The Rev John Haigh's car was seen swerving across the M65 at Accrington by an off-duty policeman on Tuesday afternoon.

He appeared to be drunk and a breath test gave a reading of 125 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 mililitres of breath. The legal limit is 35, Burnley Magistrates Court was told yesterday.

Haigh, 55, parish priest at St Mark's CE Church, Rossendale Road, Burnley, admitted driving with excess alcohol. The Bishop of Burnley today said he was taking the matter extremely seriously.

The defendant, who gave his address as Rossendale Road, was unconditionally bailed until October 2 for a pre-sentence report. He was given an interim driving ban.

District Judge Paul Firth warned Haigh the report would be looking at all possible sentences and he had to leave all options open.

Today, Bishop of Burnley the Rt Rev John Goddard said: "I heard of this case with deep regret. Drinking and driving is something the Christian church takes extremely seriously.

"I will be following this up with the priest concerned in the most appropriate manner."

Sarah Statham, prosecuting, told the court the off-duty officer saw the defendant driving on the M65 at 3.30pm.

She said he described Haigh's driving as particularly bad and the defendant was swerving across the carriageway.

She said the officer reported what he had seen to on-duty colleagues and they came across the defendant in Accrington Road, Burnley. She said Haigh was spoken to and was said to be "well under the influence of drink." The defendant had no previous convictions, she said.

Rachel Adamson, defending, told the court the case was very serious and sentencing guidelines put Haigh "in danger."

She said Haigh was of good character, was deeply remorseful and clearly had problems to address.

Miss Adamson added that the defendant knew he would be banned but was very much more concerned about his liberty than losing his licence.

Haigh's service of Institution at St Mark's took place in 1999 and was led by the Bishop of Blackburn.

He was also involved in the service at Burnley Cemetery in March 2002 to mark the 40th anniversary of the Hapton Valley Colliery disaster.