A BLACKBURN housing department worker was found to be three times the drink-drive limit after a tip-off to police.

And Jean McSweenie could now lose her job as she may no longer drive to work, Blackpool Magistrates' Court was told.

McSweenie, 29, of Richmond Avenue, in Cleveleys, Blackpool, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.

She was ordered to do 80 hours community service, banned from the road for three years and told to pay £60 costs.

Prosecutor Sharon Child said that in the early hours of December 13, a motorist called police stating he believed he was behind a drink-driver on Blackpool promenade.

A police patrol was alerted and managed to track down the suspect vehicle.

McSweenie's car was stopped and a breath test showed 105 microgrammes of alcohol in her body - thelegal limit is 35. Ms Child added McSweenie also had a previous drink-drive conviction from nine years ago.

Robert Castle, defending, said: "My client works in the housing department at Blackburn and as a result of the loss of her licence she will lose her job.

"She is also doing a degree course in relation to a housing qualification. She may also have to stop doing that."

On the night of the offence McSweenie was out for drinks with a friend but became convinced her boyfriend would be angry if she was not back by a certain time, so she decided to drive home.