A MOTORIST stopped because he was driving erratically admitted to police that he had smoked four or five cannabis cigarettes.

Blackburn magistrates heard that blood tests also revealed the presence of ecstasy in the sample taken from Christopher Alec Counter.

Counter, 22, of Goodshaw Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to driving while unfit through drugs. He was fined £150 with £50 costs and disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Louise Voce, defending, said Counter had been to a friend's house where he had smoked cannabis. It was several hours before he drove and he did not realise there would be any problem.

"He genuinely thought that after the time that had elapsed, the drugs would have left his system," said Miss Voce. "He did feel that he was driving normally. He has taken this lesson on board and has given up smoking cannabis completely."