A DRINK-driver was stopped by police because of the condition of her vehicle, heard Skipton Magistrates Court.

Officers followed and stopped Nicola Harrison on Skipton Road, Cross Hills, just before midday on July 11 after noticing her Citroen C4 on a nearby roundabout, the court heard today (Friday).

The vehicle's rear number plate lights were hanging off and had been taped up, the court was told.

When she got out of the car, Harrison, who had two children with her in the vehicle, was shaking and officers noted she smelt of alcohol.

She told police at the time she had drunk a box of wine the night before, said Alison Whiteley, prosecuting.

A roadside breath test showed she had 93 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. She was arrested and taken to Harrogate Police Station where the evidential breath test at around 1.30pm showed she had 67 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Harrison, 43, of Warwick Drive, Earby, Barnoldswick, admitted drink driving.

In mitigation, Julian White said Harrison was married, with five children and was the only driver in the household.

Her husband, a self-employed painter and decorator did not drive and she often drove him to work, and in addition she was a full time carer to one of her children who is chronically disabled, said Mr White.

The night before she was stopped by police, Harrison had drunk a box of wine with her husband.

Mr White said she had felt able to drive and before going out with two of her children had driven a friend to the hairdressers.

He added she was shaking because she had never been stopped by police before.

Referring to the inevitable loss of her driving licence, he said: "She did not know she was suffering from the after effects of the previous night's drinking. It was a big mistake (to drive). She has shot herself in both feet, it will impact on her ability to care for her children and will be life changing."

Magistrates told Harrison drink driving was a very serious matter and added she had driven with children in the car.

She was banned from driving for 17 months, fined £120 and ordered to pay costs of £85 and a surcharge of £48. If she completes a, drink drive rehabilitation course her ban will be reduced by 17 weeks.