AN apprentice mechanic almost three times the drink drive limit has escaped with a 16-month ban -- and the chance of keeping his job.

Burnley magistrates were told how "inexperienced drinker," Nicholas Philip Topping, 18, had a year's training left before he qualified and would then need his licence to stay in work.

If he successfully completed a drink drivers' rehabilitation course, the ban would be reduced by a quarter -- leaving him off the road for just 12 months.

Topping was told by the justices they had been "very, very lenient," -- and they hoped he would remember that and not do anything so silly again.

The defendant, of Surrey Avenue, Burnley, admitted driving with excess alcohol on May 20. He was also fined £300 and must pay £40 costs.

Silvia Dacre, prosecuting, said in the early hours, police saw the defendant's vehicle appear to break harshly. They followed it and brought it to a halt on Red Lion Street in Burnley. Officers noticed Topping's breath smelled of drink and a roadside test proved positive. The lower of two station tests showed 101 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath -- the legal limit is 35.

Andrew Church-Taylor, defending, said Topping had no previous convictions.

He had gone into the town centre at about 11.30pm to meet some friends in a nightclub.

He went into the club, his friends were not there and he spent some time talking to a number of other acquaintances.

He co-operated with the police when stopped, both at the roadside and at the police station.

Topping realised he faced being disqualified for more than the minimum 12 months. He had a year left of his apprenticeship to go and would need his licence when he qualified as a mechanic.

Mr Church-Taylor said the defendant had not presented any problems at school and did not go into nightclubs or pubs until he was 18.

It was his inexperience with drink that had brought him before the court.

The solicitor added although Topping had made one mistake, it ought not to be one that led to him losing his job and being unable to find employment as a time-served mechanic.