A middle-aged woman caught over the limit had had some lunchtime "hair of the dog" after a heavy night the day before, a court was told.

Susan Oxley, 45, was pulled over by police in Burnley because her brake lights were not working and an officer noticed her breath smelled strongly of alcohol, the town's magistrates heard.

Oxley, of Laithe Street, Burnley, admitted driving with excess alcohol and no insurance.

She was banned for 16 months, fined £125 and must pay £50 costs.

Sophie Lorimer, prosecuting, told the court the defendant was asked if she had been drinking and said she had had some cider at lunchtime and nothing since.

She gave a positive roadside breath test and was taken to the polioce station where the lowest of two tests revealed 58 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 mililitres of breath the legal limit is 35.

Bill Rawstron, defending, said Oxley's insurance had run out 10 days before. She had been out the night before celebrating a friend's birthday and had quite a lot to drink.

The defendant then had "hair of the dog" at lunchtime but felt perfectly able to drive.

Mr Rawstron added a ban would cause problems for Oxley in visiting her teenage son in Rossendale. She was ashamed and humiliated to be appearing in court.