HGV driver Roy Aspin put everything he had worked for at risk by drinking four or five pints of shandy when he went out for his tea, Blackburn magistrates were told.

As a result of the drink driving conviction, he was not sure if he would keep his job which would mean he could not pay his mortgate.

Aspin, 49, of Kirby Road, Blackburn, admitted driving with excess alcohol. He was fined £180 with £55 costs and disqualified from driving for 12 months.

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

The court heard Aspin gave a reading of 51 against the legal limit of 35 when he was breathalysed at 10.45pm.

Sarah Perkins, defending, said Aspin finished work at 6pm and went to a friend's pub for his tea where he drank four or five pints of shandy.

"He believed he would be under the limit and, had he thought for one minute he was over, he would not have driven," said Miss Perkins. "He stands to lose everything as a result of his conviction."