AN 81-year-old man with an unblemished driving record going back 61 years failed a breathalyser as he drove home to Darwen.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Arnold Walsh gave a reading of 44 against the legal limit of 35.

But he declined the offer of giving a blood sample.

And Liz Parker, defending, said that if he had taken that option, he may not have ended up in court.

Walsh, of Dove Lane, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.

He was fined £100 with £65 costs and banned from driving for 12 months.

Mrs Parker said he had been in the Postal Order pub in Blackburn where he had drunk one pint of beer and a large brandy with a cup of coffee.