AN OFF duty police officer turned and gave chase after a car nearly collided with him head on.

Blackburn magistrates heard Tracey Pierce stopped of her own volition and subsequently failed a breathalyser.

Pierce, 54, of Livesey Street, Rishton, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol. She was fined £380 with £85 costs and £38 victim surcharge. She was banned from driving for 17 months after the court heard she gave a breathalyser reading of 65 against the legal limit of 35.

Peter Williams, prosecuting, said just after midnight the police officer was driving on Blackburn Old Road, Great Harwood, when a car heading in the opposite direction almost collided with him.

Ian Huggan, defending, said his client had been at work and had drinks after she had finished.

"She would normally have got a taxi but she thought she was alright to drive," said Mr Huggan.