A SOLICITOR whose car clipped another containing a grandmother and her two grandchildren was twice the drink-driving limit, a court has heard.

Off-duty police sergeant John Parkinson watched as Kevin Ryan's VW Passat collided head-on with another vehicle while negotiating roadworks in Burnley Road, Crawshawbooth, on February 10, Rossendale magistrates were told.

Prosecutor Christine Buchanan said the grandmother and youngsters were 'shaken' but unhurt by the collision.

Ryan had been collecting takeaways after consuming two 'large' glasses of red wine and was arrested at the scene.

The court heard Ryan had been convicted of drink-driving on two previous occasions in 1998 and 2001.

His solicitor Keith Pilkington said his client had not practised for a number of years and had been receiving treatment for depression and alcohol problems.

Ryan used to run his own practice but had been left with large legal bills after being the victim of internal fraud, the court was told.

An attempt to join a larger firm was unsuccessful and the lawyer had not worked professionally since, added Mr Pilkington.

Ryan, of Short Clough Lane, Rushbed, Rossendale, admitted driving with excess alcohol.

He was banned from driving for three years and fined £400 with £75 costs.