A HAPTON man discovered he had a kidney disease when he went to be tested for suitability to donate a kidney to his father, who was suffering from renal failure.

And defence solicitor Andrew Church-Taylor urged magistrates to give Garry Stephen Morgan some hope of life beyond the dialysis machine by keeping any driving ban to a minimum.

Morgan, aged 21, of Bridgefield Street, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and without insurance. He was made subject to a community rehabilitation order for 18 months, disqualified for three months and ordered to pay £75 costs.

David Hartley, prosecuting, said a Vauxhall Nova, originally stolen in Padiham, had been spotted by police in Euxton.

It was followed along the M65 by a police helicopter and when the car eventually stopped, Morgan was seen to get out of the driver's side.

Mr Church-Taylor said Morgan had not known the car was stolen. He said his client's life had been turned upside down by the discovery that he had the same kidney disease as his father.