CONCERNED neighbours called the police after seeing a disqualified driver "stagger" to her car and drive off.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Lynn Grunshaw was spotted driving on three separate occasions on one day.

And the following day, when she was stopped and breathalysed at 12.15 pm, Grunshaw was found to be more than double to legal limit.

Grunshaw, 46, of Tynwald Road, Blackburn, who was convicted after trial of four charges of driving while disqualified and one of driving with excess alcohol was jailed for two months.

Pat Bramley, prosecuting, said police were informed on three occasion on August 12 that Grunshaw had been seen getting into her car and driving off.

The first caller reported her "staggering" to the vehicle and she told police she was extremely concerned because her granddaughter frequently played on the pavement near her house. She was seen driving again later that day and again at 11.37 pm.

The following day another witness saw her drive off and the police were called.

"All these matters occurred within a month of her being disqualified for driving with excess alcohol," said Miss Bramley.

Roger Pickles, defending, said Grunshaw had been a hard working woman all her life and for 16 years had also cared for her mother.

"She died suddenly and that is when my client's life began to fall apart," said Mr Pickles. "Grief and coping with grief has been very difficult for her."

He said Grunshaw had lost her job at around the same time as her mother died and there had been a massive void in her life.

"Unfortunately she filled that void with alcohol," said Mr Pickles. "She now suffers from cirrhosis of the liver and it is apparent she is drinking herself into an early grave. Unless some help is given to her she will shortly follow her mother."