A BELATED birthday drink proved costly for Peter John Wilkinson, who was stopped by police who saw him drive off a pub car park late at night.

Blackburn magistrates heard that a subsequent blood sample showed that Wilkinson was more that twice the legal drink driving limit.

Wilkinson, 40, of Red Rake, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol. He was disqualified from driving for two years and fined £100 with £55 costs.

Wilkinson, who gave a reading of 190 against the legal limit of 80, agreed to be referred to the drink driver rehabilitation programme which, if completed successfully, would reduce his ban by up to 25 per cent.

The court heard that Wilkinson was seen driving away from the Clog and Billycock in Billinge End Road at 11.30 pm.

Stephen Parker, defending, said his client had more to drink than he should have and more than he anticipated having when he went out.