A 62-YEAR-OLD council worker was nearly three times the legal limit when she was stopped and breathalysed close to her home.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Patricia McKay had stormed from her home in Mellor following a row with her husband but had quickly realised the "error of her ways".

She was returning home when she was stopped by police.

McKay, of Long Meadow, Mellor Brook, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol. She was fined £350 with £55 costs and disqualified from driving for two years.

McKay, who gave a reading of 93 against the legal limit of 35, agreed to be referred to the drink driver rehabilitation programme which, if completed successfully, would reduce her ban by up to 25 per cent.

Martin Hayes, defending, said his client was employed by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and while her job did involve some driving it was not at risk.