A MOTORCYCLIST who suffered serious injuries after colliding with a Range Rover was over the drink-drive limit.

Blackburn magistrates heard Andrew George Taylor was also riding the off-road bike without insurance or licence.

Taylor, 34, of Pilmuir Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention, with excess alcohol, without insurance and without a licence. He was made subject to a community order for nine months with 15 days rehabilitation activity requirement, fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 costs and £95 victim surcharge. He was banned from driving for 36 months.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said Taylor was riding a motorbike, not wearing a helmet and went the wrong way around a roundabout on Beechwood Road, Blackburn, on August 31.

"The manoeuvre on the roundabout caused him to collide with a Range Rover," said Mr Robinson.

Gareth Price, defending, said there had been contact with the Range Rover but the bulk of the damage had been to his client who suffered fractures to his feet, ankles and eye socket and spinal damage. He was waiting to have further surgery on his back.

Mr Price said Taylor had been riding the bike legitimately on an off-road site shortly before the incident.

"Unfortunately, he made the decision to ride it home which took him onto the road and into contact with the Range Rover," said Mr Price.

"He co-operated fully with the police at the scene and in hospital where he provided a blood sample."