The assistant general manager of a Ribble Valley hotel who took staff for a thank-you drink lost her job as a result.

Blackburn magistrates heard Bethany Bolton was stopped by police and failed a breathalyser test after police saw her rubber-necking their work as she drove her colleagues home on September 11.

Bolton 26, of Evergreen Avenue, Leyland, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol, having blown 56 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath, the legal limit being 35mcg.

She was banned from driving for 12 months, fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and £45 victim surcharge.

Susheela Regala, prosecuting, said police were dealing with an unrelated incident in the Whalley area when the defendant drove past in her BMW 4 Series.

"She appeared to be taking a keen interest in what they were doing and when she drove past again the officers decided to follow," said Miss Regala.

She was stopped in Whalley Road, Great Harwood, which was when police carried out the roadside breath test.

Gareth Price, mitigating, said his client had no previous convictions.

He said Bolton had worked her way up to be assistant general manager of a local hotel, and they had just had a particularly busy weekend which had been very stressful.

"At the end of the Sunday shift she decided to take a couple of members of staff out for a drink as a thank you," said Mr Price.

"As a result, she loses her good name and, unfortunately, she loses her job at the hotel where she has worked for the last five years.

"The hours she is expected to work are not compatible with public transport.

"The whole event, the arrest, the night in custody and the proceedings today have had an impact on her."