A DRINK driver has paid the price of a Bank Holiday takeaway meal with his driving licence.

Burnley Magistrates heard how Colin Read, 41, was stopped by police because he wasn't wearing a seat belt and was arrested after giving a positive breath test.

Read, of Daisy Street, Colne, admitted driving with excess alcohol and was banned for 12 months. He must also pay a £75 fine and £55 costs.

The court was told officers noticed the defendant's breath smelled of drink and when he was taken to Colne Police Station, the lower of two breath tests showed 49 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 mililitres of breath - the legal limit is 35.

Dermot Woodhead, defending, said Read was embarrassed at coming before the court in such circumstances at his age.

The offence arose out of a misjudgement on Read's part and was going to have serious consequences.

Mr Woodhead said on Bank Holiday Monday, the defendant had been out for the afternoon, but had had a moderate amount to drink and not a "skinful." He had not been driving, spent the evening at home but then went to collect a takeaway for he and his partner.

His partner had not been drinking, but because Read felt he was fit to drive and had not had a drink for four hours, he did not stop to consider he might be over the limit.

The solicitor added the defendant, who only drive a short distance, was working for an engineering company in Earby and relied on his car to go to and from his employment.