A WOMAN who had been drinking at a family gathering crashed into a taxi as she drove home.

Blackburn magistrates heard on the day of the incident Linda Dunkinson had been to the cemetery because it was the anniversary of her sister's death.

When she was breathalysed after the crash she was found to be more than three times the drink-drive limit.

Dunkinson, 65, of Tenby Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol and without insurance. She was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 10 days Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and 80 hours unpaid work. She was banned from driving for 26 months and ordered to pay £85 costs and £95 victim surcharge.

Jade Coleman, prosecuting, said police attended a road traffic collision on Sandy Lane, Darwen, at 11.05 pm. Dunkinson admitted she had been driving and that she had been drinking.

Julie Dunn, who presented a pre-sentence report, said in the afternoon Dunkinson had been to the cemetery on the anniversary of her sister's death. She met up with family in the Alexandra pub and initially was drinking cola.

"Someone bought her a glass of wine and things escalated from there," said Mrs Dunn. "She has no idea what time she left the pub or how much she had to drink."

Mrs Dunn said Dunkinson worked as a site supervisor at a local college and her employers had assured her that her job was safe.