A DRUNK woman who got behind the wheel after having a "skin-load" has been banned from driving for four years.

Alison Smith, of Stratford Road in Harvington, near Evesham, was almost three times the legal limit when she decided to drive home from her sister's house after drinking vodka and lager.

Marie Watton, prosecuting at Worcester Magistrates Court, said police officers were called to Church Lane in Alcester just after midnight on Monday, August 13, last year.

"When the officers spoke to the female driver, they could smell intoxicants on her breath and noticed she was slurring her words," she said.

Miss Watton said when the 36-year-old was breath-tested, the lower reading was 111mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

Smith, who was found guilty of driving with excess alcohol and driving with no insurance after a trial, was also convicted of drink driving in 2004.

Deputy district judge Kevin Grego said she had clearly had a "skin load."

He said her pre-sentence report revealed "massive problems" which he did not want to air in open court, something defence solicitor Mark Turnbull agreed with.

As well as the ban, Smith was given an 18-month supervised community order and was told to attend a drink-impaired drivers course and alcohol treatment programme.

She must also pay £100 costs.