A DRINK-driver, who police said was sick out of her car on the motorway, claimed it was her dog, Burnley Magistrates heard.

The court was told Abigayle Whitham, 22, had one drink of wine -- but it was almost half a pint.

The defendant, of Gisburn Road, Barrowford, admitted driving with excess alcohol and not having insurance. She was banned for 18 months, fined £150 and ordered to pay £20 costs.

Lisa Boocock, prosecuting, said a police officer was on the M65 at 11pm when he saw the defendant pull on to the hard shoulder.

She climbed out of the front seat, opened the passenger window and was sick.

He went to check on Whitham's welfare and noticed she smelled of drink. A breath test showed 72 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Bill Rawstron, defending, said Whitham would never have got behind the wheel had she known she was anywhere near the limit.

The defendant had had one drink, but it wasn't a normal measure and it was almost half a pint of wine.

Whitham had been heading to her boyfriend's in Haslingden and was quite adamant it was not her who was being sick but her dog, which was with her.