A RALLY driver today hit out at the legal system after it took 19 months to bring him to court for a driving offence.

Simon Daly, 35, of Mytton View, Clitheroe, said he was made redundant as a driver for a flower company, partly because he kept having to take time off for 10 separate court dates.

And, when the trial was finally due to begin at Preston Crown Court this week, Mr Daly was "stunned" to find the charge downgraded to "careless and inconsiderate driving" from "dangerous driving".

He immediately pleaded guilty, and said he would have admitted this charge when he first appeared before magistrates 19 months ago.

It is highly unusual for such a minor motoring offence to be heard at crown court, which normally only deals with cases warranting more than six months in jail.

The judge fined Mr Daly £700, including costs, and put five penalty points on his driving licence.

Mr Daly said he believed the Crown Prosecution Service had over-reacted because he was taking part in a navigational rally when the incident happened, just after midnight on December 7, 2003.

He overtook a Ford Escort in Longridge Road, near Longridge, before a bend and went straight into the path of an oncoming Hyundai Coupe, which had to swerve into a hedge to avoid a collision. No-one was injured.

Judge Beverley Lunt said speed had not been an issue and concluded Mr Daly had been guilty of two momentary errors of judgement -- failing to pull back in behind the Escort and not stopping after the incident.

Mr Daly, driving a modified F-registered Austin Montego, was in a navigational rally in which the ability to reach checkpoints by following a map, and not speed, were tested.

Mr Daly, who said he had had an unblemished driving history, said: "

I have no doubt whatsoever had the appropriate charge been given to me at the start then it could all have been dealt with at the magistrates and saved everybody all the anguish they have been through in the last 19 months.

"I do feel it was a ridiculous waste of money, and must have cost around £25,000 to have achieved what they have achieved."