AN ex-binman, over the limit, drove on the wrong side of a central reservation -- towards a police car.

Burnley Magistrates heard how Daniel Nelson, 19, told officers he had had one drink, but he had had three.

Nelson, of Bracewell Street, Nelson, admitted driving with excess alcohol and was banned for 18 months, fined £120 and must pay £55 costs.

Tom Snape, prosecuting, said just after midnight police were travelling on Reedyford Road, Nelson, towards the M65 when they spotted the defendant on the wrong side of the central reservation.

They turned and followed him, stopped Nelson and spoke to him. Officers noticed he smelled of alcohol and when asked if he had had a drink, he said he had had one.

He was arrested after a positive breath test, made a "weak attempt" to pull away and had to be told to calm down. He said to one officer: "I wish it had been just me and you."

Mr Snape said the defendant gave two specimens of breath and the lower of two readings was 59 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 mililitres of breath -- the legal limit is 35. Nelson was also in breach of a conditional discharge.

Mark Irlam, for Nelson, said he had sold the vehicle to a friend but they had fallen out. The friend had refused to buy the car and the defendant was upset. He got his keys back and had had three pints of lager.

Nelson got behind the wheel and for some reason -- he still did not know why -- another friend hit him in the head. He then crossed the central reservation and on to the opposite side of the road.

Mr Irlam said when Nelson was handcuffed, he was complaining they were too tight and was not trying to get away from the police. That would only have aggravated the situation.

The defendant had no previous convictions for like offences and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. He had got just £50 for scrapping the car.