NIGHTCLUBBER David Jones had not expected to fail a breath test after he drove away from Whalley.

Blackburn magistrates heard he had driven past police cars as he left without giving them a thought.

And he was shocked when he failed a spot check in Whalley Road, Sabden, and later gave a reading of nearly double the legal limit.

Jones, 42, of Claybank Fold, Padiham, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.

He was fined £300 with £55 costs and disqualified from driving for 18 months.

Jones, who gave a reading of 61 against the legal limit of 35 , agreed to be referred to the drink drivers' rehabilitation programme which, if completed successfully, would reduce his ban by up to 25 per cent.

John Dewhurst, defending, said Jones, a kiln burner at Castle Cement, had drunk two pints earlier in the evening but for the rest of the night had been drinking Coke.

"When he left the nightclub he saw police vehicles in the vicinity and did not think twice," said Mr Dewhurst.

"When he failed the breathalyser he expressed his surprise."