A 43-year-old man who had spent three of the last four festive seasons in prison will be spending this Christmas behind bars.

Martin Shilvock, of Olive Lane, Darwen, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and without insurance and was jailed for 120 days and disqualified for two years.

The court heard that Shilvock had 17 previous convictions for driving while disqualified and on the latest occasion was in breach of two disqualifications and a requirement to pass an extended re-test before driving again.

Simon Farnsworth, defending, said Shilvock had lived rough for much of his adult life but had formed friendships in the Darwen area where he had planned to spend this Christmas.

He added: "For the first time in a long time there is a settled element in his life but he accepts that, with his record, you could not be criticised if you imposed an immediate prison sentence."