A TEENAGE driver got behind the wheel when he was almost three times the drink limit after being pressurised by a friend over his sick baby, a court heard.

Burnley magistrates were told how Luke Renwick, 18, had been drinking at home and had not intended to drive. He gave a test showing 91 micro-grammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit is 35.

Renwick, of St Margaret's Gardens, Hapton, admitted drink driving. The bench, who told him he had been very foolish, fined him £150, with £65 costs and a £15 victim surcharge and banned him for two years. Renwick had no previous convictions.

Sophie Lorimer, prosecuting, said police stopped the defendant's Renault Clio at 7.45pm, as it was being driven in a careless manner.

John Rusius, defending, said his friends had been round at his house and one got a call from his girlfriend saying their baby was ill. The friend had no money for a taxi, asked the defendant for a lift and he refused.

Mr Rusius said some time later the friend's partner rang again, saying the baby was particularly poorly and shouting at him. Renwick then agreed to take him home.