A MAN'S bid to earn high wages by working seven days a week led to a lapse which could have ruined his business and landed him in prison, a court was told.

Anthony John Hindle, 36, of Ashworth Lane, Waterfoot, had been subject to a three year driving ban when he decided to get behind the wheel of a car and drive to a job, Rochdale magistrates were told.

Hindle admitted driving in Sheriff Street, Rochdale, while disqualified, without insurance and a test certificate at a previous hearing, which had been adjourned for pre sentence reports.

Arguing against a prison sentence, Mr Kevin Bamber, defending, said it had been a "stupid one off lapse" in the defendant's drive to get work.

"This man has turned his life around from a considerable amount of time suffering depression and anxiety when he could not work to getting his act together and working seven days a week all round the Rossendale area and the North West generally."

Mr Bamber added: "He is getting as much work as possible from general building jobs to pointing and he is maintaining difficult working hours which also helps him pay maintenance for several children. He can be a high earner."

Magistrates ordered him to do 200 hours community service with £55 costs. A further driving ban was not ordered.