A VAN driver who caused a motorway accident which injured four race-goers has been banned for a year.

The trippers were heading back to Barnoldswick when their minibus plunged down an embankment near the M6 junction with the M65 shortly after 10pm on August 10.

David Jones, of St Marys Street, Walton-le-Dale, admi-tted drink-driving at South Ribble Magistrates Court.

The 37-year-old father of three apologised, saying he "regretted" the incident.Jones was found to be more than twice the drink limit.

Sue Doran, prosecuting, said Jones's Peugeot van collided with a fully occupied Mercedes minibus on the M6 at Bamber Bridge.

The impact caused the bus driver to lose control and it left the carriageway before landing on its side and sliding backwards down the banking, just missing a concrete gantry.

One man was rescued by firefighters and four people were taken to hospitals with minor injuries. The other passengers were shaken.

They had been returning from Haydock races in a minibus rented from B & J Travel, of Barnoldswick.

Jones told the court he earned £38,000 last year driving for a refrigeration company and said he was now facing an uncertain future having to support three children and a £700,000 mortgage.

He said: "I found myself under a lot of stress. I had just accepted another job with another refrigeration company after working for one for 18 years.

"My boss had tried to keep me and I didn't know which way to turn. I have three children and wanted to do my best to support. I went with another colleague to talk about it over a beer. I had worked extremely long hours.

"The Wednesday before the crash I had worked an 18-hour day and had also been working weekends and was totally exhausted. I regret it so much."

He added: "I haven't been told definitely about what will be happening about my employment one way or another but it's serious."

Magistrates told Jones they considered the matter "extremely serious" and imposed a one-year ban.

He was ordered to pay a £700 fine plus £43 costs.

Jones was offered a driving rehabilitation course which would entitle him to a quarter reduction on the ban.