A DRINK driver caught out after doing an elderly neighbour a favour has paid the price with a 12-month ban.

Burnley magistrates heard how Rebecca Brown, 37, was "horrified" to find she was over the limit.

Brown, 37, of Holt Square, Barrowford, admitted driving with excess alcohol following the incident on November 24.

She was also fined £200 with £55 costs.

Wendy Chappell, prosecuting, told the court in the early hours police on Gisburn Road, Barrowford, saw a vehicle pull off a pub car park.

It went a short distance and stopped at the side of the road.

Officers went to speak to the driver and smelled drink on her.

Brown, who works in Blackburn, gave a positive roadside breath test and was arrested and taken to the police station.

There, she gave two tests, the lowest of which revealed 42 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 mililitres of breath - the legal limit is 35.

She had no previous convictions or cautions.

Richard Taylor, defending, said Brown did a favour for an 81-year-old neighbour who wanted to take her for a meal.

She would normally walk, but because of the age and infirmity of the neighbour she drove.

Brown would say she had one glass of wine, although it was a large one, the court heard.

She had dropped the neighbour off and was turning round when the police saw her.

She co-operated with police and was "horrified" to find she was over the limit.

Mr Taylor, who urged the court to keep the disqualification to a minimum and to allow the defendant to take the drink drivers' rehabilitation course, added she worked in Blackburn and would be caused considerable inconvenience getting to work.