A 45-year-old Blackburn man was nearly three times the legal drink driving limit when he was stopped by police shortly before midday.

And Blackburn magistrates heard that the father of six could lose his job as a result of the inevitable disqualification.

Nigel George Vaal, of Fosse Close, admitted driving with excess alcohol and was fined £500 with £35 costs and banned from driving for two years.

Bashrat Ditta, defending, said Vaal was divorced and worked as a manager. He had been under a great deal of stress and had difficulty sleeping.

"The night before this offence he had been unable to sleep and had sat up most of the night drinking," said Mr Ditta.

The next day, Vaal's boss saw the state he was in and sent him home and he was stopped and breathalysed.

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