A DELIVERY driver lost his job after getting behind the wheel while more than twice the drink-drive limit.

Burnley magistrates heard Gary Martin, 25, would now be joining the benefits queue after he smashed into the back of a taxi.

Martin, of Lyndhurst Road, Burnley, admitted driving with excess alcohol on November 26.

He was given a 12 month community order with 80 hours with 80 hours unpaid work, banned for 20 months and ordered to pay £50 costs.

The court was told the ran into the back of a cab waiting at lights on Yorkshire Street, Burnley.

Police were calledand he told them he had drunk one and a half pints about two hours before.

A breath test revealed 86 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath -- the legal limit is 35. Martin had no previous convictions.

Alfred Rebello, defending, said Martin had a moment of madness.

He would lose not only his licence but his job as well as he worked as a delivery driver for Burnley Building Supplies.

He had been into town not intending to have a drink but bumped into a friend and had a couple at the pub.

Martin then foolishly drove a very short distance. The defendant did not run away but stayed in the verhicle and co-operated with police.