A WOMAN who had drunk one and a half pints of lager failed a breathalyser.

Blackburn magistrates heard Melanie Sutcliffe was shocked when the machine showed she was over the limit.

And Damian Pickup, defending, said his client hoped her experience would be a lesson to other people tempted to have a drink and drive.

Sutcliffe, 44, of Cedar Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.

She was banned from driving for 12 months, fined £436 and ordered to pay £85 costs and £43 victim surcharge.

Mr Pickup said his client had been contacted by a friend who wanted to talk about problems she was having and they met in the pub.

"My client drank one and a half pints of Kronenbourg and a Coke and genuinely believed she would be under the limit," said Mr Pickup.

"There is this myth that if you drink two pints or less you will be under the limit."