A DANGEROUS driver who hit a telegraph post and narrowly avoided another crash in a Burnley street one afternoon has been jailed.

Burnley Crown Court heard former drug addict Steven Lumb, who was banned from driving, had mounted the kerb and almost hit parked cars.

The defendant, who had never had a driving licence, was sent to prison for 15 months by a judge who said he could have killed somebody.

Recorder Michael Murray told Lumb at that time of the day there would probably have been a lot of traffic and pedestrians about and the fact he didn't hit anything before the telegraph post was more good luck than judgement.

Lumb, 44, of Airdrie Crescent, Burnley, admitted dangerous driving, two charges of driving while disqualified, failing to stop and having no insurance. He was also banned from driving for three years.

Neil Standage, prosecuting, said police saw the vehicle with three people in in the Coalclough area of Burnley. The exhaust was blowing.

Officers, in an unmarked car, began to follow the car which was driven reasonably until a certain point until it became erratic.

The car then mounted the kerb, narrowly missed parked cars and the police requested a marked vehicle.

Mr Standage said the car again mounted the kerb and failed to stop at any give way junctions.

Lumb then turned into Back Plumbe Street, hit a telegraph post, reversed, stopped and the occupants got out.

Two of them ran off, but Lumb stayed and was arrested after a struggle. He made no comment during interview.

Michael Lavery, defending, said Lumb had eight previous convictions for driving while disqualified and realised the situation he was in.