A PART-time lecturer who overturned her car while over the drink-drive limit, faces the loss of her job along with her licence.

Burnley magistrates heard how Lisa Jane Ashworth, 30, whose boyfriend was injured in the smash, had a previous conviction for drink-driving and will now be off the road for three years.

Ashworth, of Camp Street, Harle Syke, was also fined £300, with £55 costs, after admitting driving with excess alcohol.

Tom Snape, prosecuting, said at 6.50pm, on Sunday evening, police who went to Halifax Road, saw a Ford Escort overturned in the road and a man inside, complaining of pain in his legs. Ashworth was sitting on the side of the road on a plastic chair. She told officers she had been driving and said she had had two half pints of lager and two glasses of liquor. The defendant was arrested and police concluded she had left the road, hit a tree and turned the car over. Mr Snape said both Ashworth and the passenger were taken to hospital and afterwards, she was taken to the police station, where the lower of two breath tests showed 58 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath -- the legal limit is 35.

Mark Williams, defending, said Ashworth and her boyfriend had been to a wedding reception and had intended to stay the night. They argued during the course of the proceedings and she then drove home safely. The row continued there, she got back in the car and her partner also got in.

The accident happened when he grabbed hold of the steering wheel, causing her to lose control and hit a tree. Neither had intended to drive, and the accident was not caused by her driving, although she should not have been behind the wheel.

Mr Williams said the defendant would lose her job and she would have to look for other work. Her partner was currently off work because of his leg injury. Ashworth regretted taking the decision to drive and apologised.