A DRIVER who claimed he was responding to a family crisis was wearing only a vest and underpants when police stopped him at 9.20pm on a Sunday night.

William Jones told police his step son was a heroin addict and was threatening to commit suicide in Corporation Park where he lived rough, Blackburn magistrates were told..

Jones, 51, of Haslingden Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol. He was banned from driving for 18 months and fined £150 plus £55 costs.

Jones, who gave a reading of 82 against the legal limit of 35, agreed to be referred to the drink driver rehabilitation programme.

Andrew Church-Taylor, defending, said Jones' step-son suffers mental health problems and on the night in question he rang his mum, effectively to say goodbye because he was going to kill himself.

"My client had been drinking in the afternoon and had gone to bed early to ensure he was fit for his work as a driver next day," said Mr Church-Taylor.

"His partner woke him screaming hysterically and wanted him to take her immediately to her son. Such was the urgency that he didn't even have time to dress and when a tyre burst on the way they didn't stop, fearing that if they were not there to meet the young man he might carry out his threat."

Mr Church-Taylor said Jones would automatically lose his job as a result of the conviction.