A TEACHER was two-and-a-half times over the limit more than a couple of hours after she smashed her car into a lamppost, a court heard.

Magistrates were told how mother-of-two and Clitheroe Royal Grammar School teacher Helen Dornan, 35, lost control of her Renault Clio on a bend while she was "messing about with her radio."

Her solicitor said the crash may have happened even if she had not been drinking.

This is an internal staffing matter which is the responsibility of the school and we would not comment on an incident relating to an individual member of staff.

"A school may decide to consult us, but as the teacher is employed at the school it would be dealt with by the head and governors."

Dornan, of Gisburn Road, Barrowford, admitted driving with excess alcohol. She was banned from driving for two years, fined £250 and must pay £55 costs.

Burnley magistrates bench chairman Mrs Margaret Dunne said the breath test reading was very high, but her previous good character was in Dornan's favour. They had taken her personal circumstances into account.

Elizabeth Reed, prosecuting, said just after 10.30pm police were sent to an accident on Wheatley Lane Road, Barrowford. Her vehicle was on its side on the grass verge, a lamp post had been uprooted and the car was extensively damaged.

Dornan was taken to hospital for treatment and in the early hours gave a positive breath test. She was arrested and taken to hospital.

A Mrs Reed said two further samples of breath were taken two and a half hours after the accident and The lower of two more breath tests showed 88 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit is 35.

John Greenwood, defending, said he had entered a not guilty plea on Dornan's behalf the second time the case was listed because she had been in such a distressed state and did not go into court. That had been a "plea of convenience," and it had always been her intention to admit the offence.

It was her recollection that she was messing about with her radio and lost control on the bend.

, who handed the bench notes on Dornan's behalf to consider "by way of background," and to "lay the scene," as far as her life was concerned, said she had had rather a traumatic experience as far as bringing up her children was concerned and she had had to look after them on her own.

About four years ago, she had been working full-time then went on to do a degree course for three years, went to teacher training college and since September had been a teacher in a school.

Mr Greenwood added Dornan was very ashamed to be in court and had shown a lot of remorse. The offence was totally out of character.

and had she realised she was over the limit Dornan would not have driven.

The solicitor added it was likely the drink Dornan had had the previous night had a significant effect on the breath test reading.

He said she would not lose her teaching job but a disqualification would cause a great deal of inconvenience to the defendant and her children.