AN early morning fishing trip proved costly for a 30-year-old Darwen man.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Stephen James Barnes crashed into a lamp-post just yards from his home, sending it crashing to the floor.

When police spotted the damaged van he was driving, Barnes ran off but was found hiding in bushes in a nearby park.

And his subsequent appearance in court cost Barnes £550 in fines and costs.

Barnes, of Northcote Street, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol, without insurance, other than in accordance with a licence, failing to stop after an accident and possession of cannabis. As well as the financial penalties he was banned from driving for 12 months.

Neil White, prosecuting, said the accident occurred at 5.35am in Cyprus Street and the lamp-post had been knocked out of the ground.

Police searched the area and eventually saw Barnes and another man running away from the van. He said that when he was arrested, Barnes had a tin with the words "skin up" written on it and it contained cannabis.

Kevin Preston, defending, said the van belonged to the other man and the two had been going fishing.

"Very shortly after they set off, his attention was momentarily diverted and before he knew it he smacked into a lamp-post," said Mr Preston.

"It was at that stage that panic set in."