A NEW Year drink-driver who was almost three times the limit could get laid off from work because of his actions, a court heard.

Burnley magistrates heard how Mark Fielden, 36, staggered backwards when he got out of his car when police stopped him three hours into 2008.

He later gave a sample showing 102 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Fielden, of Stoney Street, Burnley, admitted drink driving on January 1 in Todmorden Road, Burnley.

He was sentenced to a 12-month community order, with 40 hours unpaid work, and banned for 28 months.

Andrew Robinson, prosecuting, told the court that officers on duty in Parliament Street, Burnley, at 3.30am, saw Fielden behind the wheel.

As he got to the roundabout he seemed to misjudge it, causing the officers to brake.

David Lawson, defending, said Fielden had been at his girlfriend's celebrating and they had too much to drink.

They had a petty row and the defendant decided to leave.

He had told his bosses of his appearance and they had sent a reference asking for leniency.