A PLASTERER who was on his way to a New Year's Day family meal was stopped by police who found that he had been taking cannabis.

Bolton magistrates heard how Daniel Brown was driving a VW Golf when he came off the M61 at Horwich "a bit too quickly" and came to the attention of officers.

"He was heading to the Harvester to meet family members at lunchtime," said Adam Whittaker, defending.

He stressed that there was no suggestion that 24-year-old Brown was over the alcohol limit after attending a party the night before, but a small amount of cannabis had been used.

"He is not a habitual cannabis smoker," said Mr Whittaker, who added that Brown, of Beech Avenue, Farnworth, did not think anything of it when he got into his car a few hours later to join his aunts and uncles.

Mr Whittaker added that Brown, who pleaded guilty to drug driving, expects to lose his job as he will not be able to work without using a vehicle.

Magistrates fined Brown £140 plus £115 in costs and banned him from holding a driving licence for 12 months.