A banned driver led police on a high speed pursuit after being spotted travelling "like a loony".

Ritchie Edgar, 30, was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court having admitted five crimes.

These were drink-driving, dangerous driving, no insurance, cannabis possession and failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

Beccy McGregor, prosecuting, said police received reports of Edgar driving a Rover-type vehicle in Workington on the evening of April 15.

"It was believed he was under the influence of either drink or drugs," said Ms McGregor.

"There was an allegation he had narrowly avoided a collision - a head-on collision - with a member of the public. There was one report he was driving like a loony."

Edgar failed to stop for police, nearly lost control of the vehicle and braked hard to avoid a crash.

He travelled at about 50mph before accelerating. Police tried to force him off the road; there was a collision but Edgar continued driving.

Police were cautious due to "concerns there were pedestrians in the area, including... a lady seen with a pram".

He was eventually safely stopped but, said Ms McGregor, "had to be dragged from his vehicle".

"He appeared to be drunk. The officer could smell intoxicants," she said.

But Edgar refused to take a breath test and provide a sample of blood.

In interview, he conceded he shouldn't have been driving, and "described himself as an idiot".

The court heard he had 105 offences on his criminal record, including three previous convictions for disqualified driving and two for dangerous driving.

Edgar was said to have had "an extremely difficult time" since being released from a prison sentence last year.

Brendan Burke, mitigating, said: "In his last term of imprisonment he coped - or failed to cope - by the use of what people call 'spice' (drug)."

If sent to jail again, said Mr Burke, "there will no doubt be a resort to whatever is on offer again".

However, there were now signs of progress, and Edgar had "passionately expressed" motivation to engage with professional help.

Having heard background information, Judge Peter Davies suspended a 12-month prison sentence for two years. Edgar, of Iredale Crescent, Workington, received a 30-day rehabilitation requirement and a three-month night-time curfew.

He was also handed a three-year driving ban, and must take an extended re-test.

Judge Davies ordered monthly probation service progress reports on Edgar's compliance and motivation.