A PUBLICAN was breathalysed just minutes after he called at the police station to report an incident at his daughter's pub, a court was told.

Clifford Charles Lloyd, landlord of the Alexander, in Alexander Road, Darwen, told magistrates he had not considered the possibility that he might be over the limit when he answered a 3.30am call for help from his daughter. But he said there was no excuse and he wished to apologise to the court.

"Last week I stood in this court filled with pride at getting the licence, but today I am standing here quite ashamed," said Lloyd.

Lloyd, 44, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol. He was fined £120 with £50 costs and disqualified from driving for 12 months. He agreed to be referred to the drink driver rehabilitation scheme which, if successfully, would reduce his disqualification by three months.

Emma Kehoe, prosecuting, said Lloyd was stopped at 4.30am in Wood Street, Darwen. He gave a breathalyser reading of almost one and a half times the legal limit of 35.

Lloyd, who was not represented, said he had worked a 15 hour shift on the Friday and when he finished at 11.30pm had a few beers before going to bed. At 3.30am he received a phone call from his daughter who asked him to get to her pub, also in Darwen, as soon as possible.

"I jumped up and drove up there straight away," said Lloyd. "I sorted out the problem and on my way home called in at Darwen police station to report the matter.

"It was after that that I got stopped. I did not even think about the drinks I had but I am not going to make any excuses. I broke and law and I apologise."