A LATVIAN drink-driver has been told that he can only get a reduction in a two-year ban if he learns to speak English.

Immigrant Guntars Vuskans, 28, speaks almost no English but, through an interpreter, said that in a multi-cultural country it was not fair that he had to endure "extra punishment."

The Racial Equality Council said it had never dealt with a case like it before but vowed to investigate if Vuskans got in touch.

At Blackburn Magistrates' Court Vuskans was offered the chance to take the drink drive rehabilitation programme but was told he would not have the assistance of an interpreter.

"We will offer you the programme but you will have to improve your level of English," said the chairman. "You have been in this country for a year now and you should have more understanding.

"You will only be able to do the course if you can understand it and you won't be able to have an interpreter there."

Vuskans, of Ailsa Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol in Blackburn. He was made subject to a weekend curfew order, 7pm to 7am for eight weeks and banned from driving for two years. If he completes the course his ban will be reduced by six months. He moved here from his native Latvia in April last year after his country joined the European Union to look for a job and said he worked nights as a baker at Interlink Express Foods in Shadsworth.

Speaking through his sister, Ilvija Konstantinova, he said: "I know my English is bad but I am trying to improve.

"It is not fair that I cannot do the course.

"There are people from all over the world that live in this country and they should be prepared to deal with people like me."

Vuskans said that he had had several English lessons and was hoping to begin an intensive college course in September, which may allow him to take the drink drive rehabilitation programme. He added: "I am sorry for what I did but I think I deserve the chance to go on the course."

At court, Anser Amin, defending, said his client, who had the benefit of an interpreter in court, had been covered to drive on his Latvian licence for 12 months but he would have to pass a UK test when his ban ended.

A spokesman for the Commission for Racial Equality said that the case was one that they would look at if they were approached by Vuskans.