DELIVERY driver Mark Partington overtook a hearse and another vehicle in a funeral cortege on a pelican crossing.

But Blackburn magistrates heard there was no question of him driving at excessive speed during the manoeuvre which he blamed on the hearse driver's lack of respect for the highway code.

Partington, 28, of Bethesda Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to overtaking within the zigzag limits of a pedestrian crossing and was fined £50 and his licence endorsed with three points.

Wendy Chappell, prosecuting, said the incident in Preston Old Road was witnessed by an off-duty police officer who saw the van driven by Partington overtake the hearse and a second car.

He said it then had to swerve sharply in front of the hearse to avoid colliding with oncoming traffic.

Elliott Taylforth, defending, said the officer had not seen what happened seconds earlier at the roundabout at the junction with Green Lane. He said Partington had been on the roundabout when the hearse failed to give him the right of way.

"He says the driver paid no attention to traffic as he went through the junction," said Mr Taylforth.

"This left Mr Partington stuck in the middle of the island.

"He immediately drove off the roundabout and overtook the hearse, which by then was within the limits of the pelican crossing, a very short distance from the roundabout."