TRAINEE engineer Mark Kay took his dad's car for a spin in the early hours of the morning, despite not having a licence.

Blackburn magistrates heard that police gave chase when they saw the car being driven erratically, swerving on to the wrong side of the road and going through two sets of red lights.

At one stage the car stalled and began to roll back and a police car had to reverse to avoid a collision.

Kay, 21, of Sydney Street, Darwen, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol, without a licence and without insurance. He was fined £280 with £65 costs and disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Kay, who gave a reading of 50 against the legal limit of 35, agreed to be referred to the drink drivers rehabilitation programme.

which, if completed successfully, could result in a 25 per cent reduction in his ban.

Sarah Perkins, defending, said Kay had been to a friend's house the night before to watch a football match and while there had drunk five cans of lager. He fell asleep and when he woke in the early hours walked home.

"For some inexplicable reason he decided to take his father's car and drive it round the block," said Miss Perkins. "His parents are quite strict and his father has made it clear that if he ever comes before the courts again that will be it."