A DRINK driver had drunk so much alcohol he hit a parked car and did not notice, Burnley magistrates heard.

Leigh Cheetham, 22, had a vacant expression on his face and his eyes were "starry" after police stopped him in Colne, in the early hours on March 19.

He was found to be almost three times the limit and admitted he had had about 10 pints.

The defendant, of Stoney Street, Burnley, admitted driving with excess alcohol and failing to stop after an accident. He was bailed until Monday for a pre-sentence report and the bench said they were thinking of a community sentence.

Stephen Parker, prosecuting, said a police officer saw the defendant approaching him, travelling very close to parked cars. He heard a thud and Cheetham then went back to the centre of the carriageway.

The officer activated his emergency lights and stopped the defendant. He was unsteady on his feet and smelled of drink. A breath test showed 99 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath the legal limit is 35.

Mr Parker said the defendant told police he had been to Earby Conservative Club and had around 10 pints.