A driver who was more than four times the legal limit when she was stopped at 7.15am asked magistrates not to ban her immediately.

Blackburn magistrates heard Charlotte Robinson had not told her boss about her court appearance and wanted to give him time to make alternative arrangements before she lost her licence.

But the magistrates said they had a duty to the public and imposed an interim ban.

Robinson, 23, of Meadowfield Close, Whalley, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol on Whalley Road, Clitheroe, on Christmas Eve. The court heard Robinson gave a breathalyser reading of 143 against the legal limit of 35.

A pre-sentence report will now be prepared. Debbie Morgan, defending, said: “She hasn’t told her boss about this offence and her concern is over him letting his customers down over the next four weeks.”

“She wants to give him the opportunity to continue providing training services for his customers until he can make alternative arrangements.”