A MOTORIST drove 17 miles the wrong way down the M6 while drunk and under the influence of cocaine and cannabis.

A passing driver called 999 on September 1 after spotting a Volkswagen Golf driving south on the northbound carriageway of the M6.

Police caught up with the vehicle, driven by Cameron Johnrose, which left the motorway at Junction 36.

The officers followed the car before managing to get in front of it to cut it off and force it to stop.

At South Cumbria Magistrates' Court on Wednesday prosecutor Diane Jackson said: "There is a report that the vehicle was driving the wrong way down the M6 from Junction 38.

"Officers stopped at Junction 36 to wait for the vehicle and saw it in lane three.

"It then exited at the junction and they got behind the vehicle to stop it.

"They followed it and officers cut off the car and stopped it.

"They told him to get out of the car and asked him why he had been driving the wrong way.

"He said something about his car overheating. They asked why he didn't just stop and he made no reply to that.

"This was prolonged driving and it was only fortunate that there wasn't a collision."

Tests revealed Johnrose had 59 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. He was also over the limit for cannabis and cocaine.

Defence solicitor Ivan Dickinson described Johnrose, of Cocker Lane in Leyland, as 'a man of good character'.

"I accept your sentencing powers are not sufficient," he added.

Johnrose, 26, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and driving while over the limits for alcohol, cocaine and cannabis.

Sentencing was adjourned until April 6 at Carlisle Crown Court.