A man went "off the rails" and turned to cocaine after being told he needed chemotherapy treatment, a court has heard.

Blackburn Magistrates' Court was told how Aiden Austin got in with the wrong crowd and started using drugs, ending with him appearing before the court charged with drug driving.

He was stopped by police on April 4 while driving his Vauxhall Corsa in Whitebirk Drive, Blackburn, and provided a positive drugs wipe.

Austin, 22, of Mitton Road, Whalley, pleaded guilty to driving over the limit for benzoylecgonine, the derivative of cocaine.

He was fined £150 with £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge and banned from driving for 14 months.

Daniel Frazer, offering mitigation, said his client had been working as an apprentice bricklayer prior to his diagnosis with a degenerative disease of his blood system.

"He was told he needed chemotherapy and those words had a profound effect on him," said Mr Frazer.

"He got involved with people who took drugs and started using himself."

Mr Frazer said Austin had spent time in a drug rehabilitation centre and said that was the best thing he had ever done.

"He is now clean of drugs and engaging with the various agencies," said Mr Frazer.

"He is trying to piece his life back together.

"He has patched things up with his family and is trying to get himself back to full health and back to work."