THREE glasses of wine have led to a shopkeeper losing her driving licence after she set off for the store to put money in the safe.

Burnley Magistrates heard how Jean Milner, 57, went back at night because she feared she might be burgled and was followed by police because a tyre was deflated. When she finally stopped, she then almost reversed into the police van and the tyre was found to be completely shredded.

Milner, of Clifton Street, Trawden, admitted driving with excess alcohol and was fined £300 and banned for 18 months.

Tom Snape, prosecuting, said the attention of police was drawn to the defendant's car about 9pm because a tyre wad deflated.

They followed it along Gisburn Road, Barrowford, putting on the blue lights and stop sign, but Milner carried on and turned into a car park.

The police van went onto the car park as well and an officer went to speak to Milner. Her car then suddenly reversed towards the police van and nearly hit it. The police officer asked Milner if she knew why he had stopped her car and she said no.

At that point, it was noticed that the tyre was completely shredded.

Mr Snape said the defendant was asked if she had had anything to drink, but said she had not.

A roadside breath test proved positive and she was taken to the police station, where the lower of two tests gave a reading of 66 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit is 35.

Brian Irlam, defending, said Milner had been driving for 39 years and had an exemplary record. She had never even had a parking ticket and she had been deeply shocked to find herself in the position she was in.

The defendant ran a shop in Barrowford, working between 70 and 80 hours a week and on the day of the offence had been there from about 5am.

She had eaten nothing more than two rounds of toast and when she got home, feeling particularly tired, she had three glasses of wine while cooking.

Milner then realised some money at the shop needed putting in the safe and she set off back to Barrowford.