A TERRIFIED motorist who had just collected his son from a cricket match looked in horror as another car hurtled head-on towards him at 70mph.

Blackburn magistrates heard that the high-powered Sierra Cosworth, driven by Paul Anthony Waring, slammed into the other car causing extensive damage, but, miraculously no one sustained serious injuries.

Waring, 39, of Hillside Avenue, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving. He was fined £500 with £65 costs, disqualified for 12 months and ordered to pass an extended re-test before driving again.

John Wood, prosecuting, said Mr Peter Brown had collected his son from a cricket match and was driving through Darwen town centre at about 8.00pm on Thursday, June 28.

As he drove along Belgrave Road there were vehicles parked on one side and the remaining carriageway was not wide enough for two cars to pass.

"Suddenly he saw the car driven by the defendant coming towards him," said Mr Wood.

" He was frightened and in desperation slammed on his brakes and stopped. He realised the oncoming vehicle was not going to be able to stop and braced himself for impact."

Mr Brown estimated the oncoming car's speed at 70mph, a rate confirmed by a police accident investigator.

The speed limit on Belgrave Road is 30mph. "He feels he was lucky to escape without serious injury," said Mr Wood.

Kevin Preston, defending, said Waring had no previous convictions of any kind.

"Throughout his interview with the police he could not believe he would travel at the speed mentioned," said Mr Preston. "He always believed that was not the case but he cannot argue with the expert witnesses."

"He deeply regrets the moment and appreciates that he is fortunate nobody was seriously injured."