A VICAR who was almost four times the drink driving limit on the motorway has walked free from court - and been sent to work in one of Burnley's most deprived areas instead.

The Rev John Gibson Haigh, 55, parish priest at St Marks CE Church, Rossendale Road, Burnley, was stopped by police after he was spotted swerving across the M65 near Blackburn in the middle of the afternoon. He had been "well under the influence of drink", the court was told.

Michael Cunningham, prosecuting, said police stopped Haigh on Accrington Road, Burnley, after information from an off-duty officer about the way the defendant's Skoda had been driven on the motorway.

It was thought he had been drinking and these suspicions were confirmed when an officer spoke to the defendant. He was taken to the police station where the lower of two breath tests showed 125 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit is 35.

But his solicitor said Haigh had a drink problem and wanted assistance. She said prison would not only hurt him, but deprive the community of their parish priest.

Rachel Adamson, defending, who handed the court letters supporting Haigh - including one from the Bishop of Burnley - described the case as very sad and urged the court not to send the defendant to prison. She said he was deeply ashamed, bitterly regretted what he had done and acknowledged he had broken the law.

She added: "He is held up as a pillar of the community. He ought to know better. He knows that very well.

"This has been the wake-up call he needed to a certain extent in respect of his drinking patterns. He has been devastated by this experience which has led to a complete abstinence and a complete review of his lifestyle.

"He is promoting Christian values and has found himself in a position now where he is in need of help."

Bench chairman Roy Cunliffe told the court that Haigh was obviously well respected. He added that without the support of the defendant's family, parishioners and friends and the "impassioned plea" of his solicitor they would have found it very hard to spare him jail.

Haigh was given a community punishment order of 80 hours and an 18-month rehabilitation order and banned for 30 months. He must also pay £55 costs. The defendant, of Rossendale Road, Burnley, had admitted driving with excess alcohol on September 2. He will carry out the community punishment at Daneshouse and Stoneyholme Youth and Community Centre.