A PUB landlord found to be more than twice the limit after a motorway accident has paid the price with his licence -- but was given half the normal ban.

Burnley Magistrates heard how Andrew James Officer, 53, had since given up the lease of the Harpers Inn, Harpers Lane, Fence, and his conviction may hamper future job chances in the licensed trade.

Officer, said to have been caused to go onto the hard shoulder by a van which didn't stop, had not been thinking straight after problems with his girlfriend and also at work, his solicitor told the court.

The defendant, now of no fixed address, admitted driving with excess alcohol and not having insurance.

He was banned for 12 months- even though the bench told him the guidelines recommended a two year ban for his breath test reading of 88 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 mililitres of breath. Officer was also fined £150.

The justices added they had taken into account the fact he had lost his employment and home and his relationship had broken down.

Mark Irlam, defending, said a car had swerved in front of Officer as he approached Gannow Top at Burnley, in the slow lane of the motorway.

He had to take evasive action, went onto the hard shoulder and a tyre burst. Officer managed to control his vehicle but the accident could have been far worse. Police arrived, the defendant told them what had happeend and that the other vehicle had left the scene, but he was arrested after a positive breath test.

At the time Officer had not been thinking straight and wanted to sort out his problems.

He was extremely sorry to have to come before the courts and was not the usual type of criminal to be appearing. The chances of him offending again were very low. The defendant, who had an exemplary driving record, had lived in South Africa and had also served in the Merchant Navy.

The solicitor, who urged the court to ban the defendant for the minimum 12 month period, said he would be looking for a job in the licensed trade in the future but any future lease he applied for may be prejudiced.