Police were tipped off about a possible drinker driving back from Blackpool with two children in his van.

Blackburn Magistrates'' Court heard officers were waiting for Daniel Hutchinson when he returned to his ex-partner's address in Oswaldtwistle on June 28.

Hutchinson, 35, of Redwing Avenue, Great Harwood, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.

He was fined £700 with a £280 victim surcharge and £85 costs. He was banned from driving for 18 months.

Scott Parker, prosecuting, said Hutchinson, who had no previous convictions, gave a reading of 60 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath, above the legal limit of 35mcg.

Gareth Price, mitigating, said it was important the magistrates should know his client had not been drinking in Blackpool.

He had taken the children for a day out and when they got back to Accrington they had gone to the pub for some food.

“That was where he consumed the alcohol, about one-and-a-half miles from his destination,” said Mr Price.

“He had some drinks but also ate a meal and didn’t think he would be over the limit.”