A 56-year-old nurse crashed into a neighbour's van and shunted it into his BMW as she returned from the shops.

Anita Parkington-Taylor then reversed into a fence before driving off with her air-bag still inflated, Blackburn magistrates heard.

A blood test showed she was nearly three times the legal drink-drive limit.

Parkington-Taylor, of Huntington Drive, Darwen, admitted driving with excess alcohol and failing to stop after an accident. She was banned for 28 months and fined £800 with £65 costs.

Philippa White, prosecuting, said the owner of the van and car had been alerted by a large bang and looked out to see a silver Vauxhall Corsa reversing away, accompanied by a crunching sound as metal and plastic came apart.

The car was reversed into some metal railings before driving a short distance up Huntington Drive, at one stage scraping against a fence.

Mrs White said the owner of the vehicles put the damage at £500 for the BMW and £1,000 for the van.

"A number of neighbours came out of their homes and several recognised the driver," said Mrs White.

Ian Holland, defending, said his client only lived 200 yards from where the collision occurred.

"It was perfectly obvious to the neighbours who she was and where she lived and there was no expectation that by driving away she would avoid responsibility," he said.

"She had been relaxing with a glass or two of wine but was amazed by the level of the reading."