A MOTHER who was caught more than twice over the drink-driving limit has been banned.

Rebecca Carr, 25, of Meadow Road, Whitehaven, admitted drink-driving when she appeared at the magistrates court in Workington on Friday.

Amy Labram, prosecuting, said officers were attending the scene of a separate incident on the A595 at Moor Row when they saw the white Audi A3 driven by Carr approaching with caution.

Ms Labram said Carr appeared "dishevelled" and struggled to find the handle to open the car door.

"When she opened the door the officer smelled intoxicants coming from the vehicle."

A breath test gave a reading of 86 mcg of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

The legal limit is 35 mcg.

David Thompson, defending, told magistrates that Carr had no previous relevant convictions.

He said: "It was 3am and she says she'd been out in Whitehaven with a friend. They'd gone out and gone back to the friend's house in a taxi.

"She had no intention at all to drive that night, but in the middle of the night she woke up and for reasons she can't explain she made the decision to get out of bed and get into her car and drive home.

"She was in a confused state but she was honest with the officers and she cooperated with the breathalyser procedure.

"She deeply regrets what she's done, it's very much out of character for her, she would never do anything knowing that would jeopardise her licence or the safety of others."

He added that Carr, who has a five-year-old son, was studying nuclear science at university and would have to rely on other people to take her son to school she lost her licence.

Carr was banned for 20 months, however if she successfully completes a drink-driver rehabilitation course she could see her sentence reduced by 20 weeks.

She must also pay a £120 fine, £32 victim surcharge and £85 costs.