A DRIVER who crashed into a lamppost on an M65 slip road was found to be more than three times over the legal drink-drive limit.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Donald William Whalley had been drinking hot toddy at a friend's house and was "shocked" by the level of alcohol.

Whalley, 51, of Spring Street, Rishton, admitted driving with excess alcohol and was remanded on bail for a pre-sentence report.

Catherine Allan, said police were called to junction six of the M65 at 3.45 pm on January 2. A Nissan Micra had collided with a lamppost which was hanging over the first lane of the slip road.

"The defendant had been driving on the motorway with this significantly high level of alcohol and must have presented a serious risk to other road users," said Miss Allan.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said his client had been very surprised at the reading of 129 against the legal limit of 35.

He said his client had been drinking on New Year's Day. On January 2 he had not been feeling well when he visited a friend.

"His friend made him a hot toddy and he wasn't aware how much alcohol went in it," said Mr Taylor.

Mr Taylor said Whalley lost control of his car due to mud or diesel on the road.