A RIBBLE Valley farming dynasty was threatened because William Henry Holgate drank too much whisky before driving home from his sister's house.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Holgate, 65, has farmed Higher Standen Hey Farm, Pendleton, for 48 years following several generations of his family before him.

But defence solicitor John Greenwood said Holgate might have to give up the farm when the inevitable disqualification was imposed.

Holgate, 65, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol. He was fined £150 with £55 costs and disqualified from driving for 12 months.

He agreed to be referred to the drink drivers rehabilitation programme which, if completed successfully, could reduce his disqualification by three months.

Wendy Shackleton, prosecuting, said a Rover 820 driven by Holgate pulled onto the A59 in front of a police patrol car heading towards Whalley at 11.30pm. The car was being driven erratically turned right at Barrow roundabout and after almost colliding with a keep left bollard turned onto the track which leads to Holgate's farm, where he stopped.

Mr Greenwood said Holgate did not realise it was a police car.

He said Holgate drank a glass of whiskey in the afternoon and another at his sister's house where he had gone for tea.

Mr Kennedy added: "He has 60 cows and 200 sheep and to keep them he has to be able to go about in a vehicle. He is unable to employ anyone to help him and sadly, he believes he may not be able to carry on."