POLICE who stopped a female driver in the early hours of the morning could smell cannabis when they spoke to her.

Blackburn magistrates heard Michelle Crossland failed a roadside drug swipe but refused to give a blood sample at the police station.

Crossland, 56, of North Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen for analysis, possession of cannabis and driving without insurance. She was made subject to a curfew between 8pm and 7am for six weeks, banned from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay £85 costs and £85 victim surcharge.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said Crossland was driving at 2 am and came to the attention of the police because there was no insurance.

When they spoke to her they could smell cannabis and she was arrested after failing a drug swipe.

A small quantity of cannabis was recovered and at the police station Crossland refused to provide a blood sample.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said his client was a lady with no previous convictions who accepted she had let herself down.

"She had cannabis the previous evening and it was no surprise it was still in her system," said Mr Taylor.