AN AUNT who didn't want her teenage niece to walk home late at night was stopped and breathalysed as she gave her a lift.

Blackburn magistrates heard Jaqueline Whittle, who had been on a works do, was marginally over the legal limit.

Whittle, 46, of Manchester Road, Baxenden, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.

She was banned from driving for 12 months, fined £240 and ordered to pay £85 costs and £30 victim surcharge.

Gareth Price, defending, said his client had been to a works function and a bus had been provided by the company.

"Her 19 year old niece was with her but the bus driver said he couldn't drop her off further up the road," said Mr Price.

"She took the niece back to her house and then made the decision to drive her home.

"She was aware of some criminal activity in the area recently and didn't want the girl walking home on her own."

Mr Price said Whittle was stopped by police because she didn't have her lights on.

"The car's lights come on automatically and she leaves it on that setting," said Mr Price.

"She doesn't know why they didn't come on that night."