A FATHER of two caught out drink driving thought he was fit to get behind the wheel even though he felt a "little tipsy."

Burnley Magistrates heard how Michael Anthony Loveday, 37, was almost four times the limit and was staggering when stopped by police and asked to get out of his car.

His solicitor told the court how the defendant, due to start a plastering job, had been regularly downing eight pints most nights of the week, but thought he was a social drinker.

Loveday, of Compston Avenue, Crawshawbooth, admitted driving with excess alcohol, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, not having insurance and no test certificate.

He was given a two year community rehabilitation order, to include the drink impaired drivers' programme, banned for three years and fined £440, with £65 costs. Elizabeth Reed, prosecuting, said the defendant was seen driving in Bacup. Police noticed extensive damage to his vehicle and decided to stop him.

At first, it seemed Loveday, who had been weaving from side to side, did not see the police vehicle with its lights flashing or ignored it. He eventually stopped. As Loveday tried to get out of the vehicle, he fell backwards and was then staggering when he did get out. His eyes were glazed. The defendant gave a positive roadside breath test and was taken to the police station. Two more tests were requested and the lower reading showed 136 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 mililitres of breath - the legal limit is 35.

David Connor, defending, said Loveday had been drinking probably quite heavily, was ribbed about it by friends but thought it was social drinking. Since the offences, last December 15, Loveday had known the prospect of jail was looming and had suffered stress and anxiety. It had been a real eye opener for him. He had now reduced his drinking and had accepted that having eight pints in a session regularly five or six nights a week was a problem. Loveday did not now go out as much.

Mr Connor said the defendant, who lived with his parents, saw his children at weekends. His disabled father relied on him and custody would affect his whole family. The solicitor added Loveday, who was effectively a man of good character, would not get any treatment if he went to prison. He had thought he was able to drive even though he felt a "little tipsy."