BBC North West TV newsman Stuart Flinders was over the drink-drive limit when he was stopped as he travelled to an all-night garage to buy spearmint in the early hours.

A blood sample showed that he was one-and-a-half times the legal limit.

Flinders, 40, of Earnsdale Avenue, Darwen, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol. He was fined £400 with £55 costs and disqualified from driving for 15 months. He agreed to be referred to the drink-drivers' rehabilitation programme which, if completed successfully, would result in a three-month reduction in his ban.

Tom Snape, prosecuting, said Flinders was stopped at 12.40am and the officer noticed that his breath smelled of alcohol. Flinders was arrested after failing to provide an adequate sample at the road side.

There was a problem with the normal breathalyser procedure at the police station and Flinders gave a blood sample which later showed an alcohol level of 133 against the legal limit of 80.

Lesley Halliwell, defending, said Flinders had been drinking at home but he believed he would be within the legal limit. For his work as a journalist, he had to travel to where the news was and losing his licence would put his job in jeopardy.