A SHORT ride on a friend's moped brought a temporary end to Lee Anthony Farnhill's driving career.

Blackburn magistrates heard that he rode along Preston Old Road without a crash helmet as a police patrol car was travelling in the opposite direction.

And when the officers stopped and spoke to him, they immediately smelled alcohol.

Farnhill, 19, of Preston Old Road, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol, driving without insurance and without a crash helmet.

He was disqualified for 18 months and fined £200 with £55 costs.

Farnhill, who gave a reading of 70 against the legal limit of 35, agreed to be referred to the drink driver rehabilitation programme which, if completed successfully, would reduce his ban by up to 25 per cent.

Leslie Halliwell, defending, said Farnhill had been celebrating his 19th birthday and was on his way home when he foolishly asked a female friend if he could have a ride on her moped.