A DRIVER nearly four times the legal drinks limit could be facing jail.

Burnley Magistrates heard that Timothy Bradley, 28, was off work sick with depression and stress. His home had recently been flooded and his girlfriend had walked out on him, telling him she had recently aborted their child.

The defendant had turned to drink to drown his sorrows but now realised he needed some urgent help.

Bradley, of Oaklands Avenue, Barrowford, admitted driving with excess alcohol. He was bailed until May 24 for an all options open pre-sentence report and was given an interim ban.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said Bradley was spotted driving on the wrong side of the road in Barrowford in the early hours.

He was stopped and police noticed to smell of alcohol, He was given a breath test and the lower reading showed 133 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit is 35.

Sue Robinson, defending, said until last November Bradley was employed as a community support worker for Sure Start but was now on long term sick. He was on medication and had been referred to a clinic for treatment for his depression.

The defendant had been left homeless after a flood and his partner had walked out leaving him with substantial debts she had been building up.