A DRUG driver who was involved in a police chase along the A590 has avoided an immediate prison sentence.

Lewis Geldart, of Dalton, tried to evade police officers when driving double the speed limit on the wrong side of the road on April 2, Preston Crown Court was told.

The 20-year-old motorist admitted dangerous driving and driving with cocaine in his system when he appeared at South Cumbria Magistrates' Court back in October who referred the case to crown court as the bench believed the matter was "so serious" that they could not deal with it.

He was sentenced to eight months in prison suspended for 12 months

The Chapel Street resident was banned from driving for 18 months and given eight months suspended prison sentence for both offences to be served concurrently. He was also ordered to undertake 180 hours of unpaid work.

Geldart had 38 micrograms of cocaine per litre of blood tested, more than triple the legal threshold of 10 micrograms per litre of blood.

"The vehicle being driven by the defendant does a U-turn on a country lane to get past the vehicle," prosecutor Peter Kelly said when describing the incident at South Cumbria Magistrates' Court.

"A police pursuit ensues.

"He was driving at more than double the speed limit on the wrong side of the road, failing to stop until the vehicle is stung.

"It carries on for about one or two minutes. You can see the vehicle then not being driven properly. It hits the kerb at some point."

Mr Kelly said the driver passed no pedestrians in the pursuit but came past two vehicles.

The 'prolonged police chase' lasted between 12 and 15 minutes, he said.

The court heard there was one passenger in the car.

Geldart was also told at Preston Crown Court he must undertake an extended retest in order to regain his licence once his period of disqualification was over.

This sentencing comes as police chiefs across the country are looking to crack down on the drug and drink driving during the festive period.