A WOMAN who went to the pub on her way home from work crashed into a neighbour's car as she drove down her road at 12.30am.

Blackburn magistrates heard Della Louise McKnight parked on her own drive and went in and drank some more wine.

But she did not try to use post-driving drinking as a defence and admitted to police she had simply drunk too much before she got home.

McKnight, 36, of Tintagel Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol. She was fined £459 with £85 costs and £46 victim surcharge.

Rachel Ottley, prosecuting, said a fellow resident on Tintangel Close heard a loud bang at 12.30 am and looked to see another car had crashed into his vehicle.

"He came out and saw the other car parked on the next drive," said Ms Ottley.

Duncan Nightingale, defending, said his client was going through a divorce and on the way home from work she had stopped at the Feildens Arms which was just around the corner from where she lived.

"She drank some wine, she didn't know how much, and then made the unfortunate decision to drive home," said Mr Nightingale.

He said the police arrived half and hour to an hour after the collision by which time she had drunk some more wine.

"She has taken the realistic view that the alcohol she took post-driving was not what put her over the limit," said Mr Nightingale.

"She is ashamed and remorseful and knows she should just have walked home."