A driver involved in a three-vehicle crash, in which her car turned upside down, had three times the legal level of alcohol in her system, a court was told.

Ruth Moore (39), of Ash Grove, Walshaw, was before Bury magistrates admitting that she drove with excess alcohol.

Mrs Jacqueline Stott, prosecuting, said a mobile police patrol received a radio message to go to a traffic accident in Booth Way, Bury. They found a car lying upside down on its roof and two other cars had also been damaged. The fire brigade was in attendance, and a driver was in an ambulance receiving treatment.

When officers spoke to that driver, Moore, they noticed her speech was slurred and intoxicants could be detected on her breath.

She was later tested and found to have 104 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath compared to the legal limit of 35mg in 100ml.

Moore, who had no previous motoring convictions, admitted to the bench that she had drunk a lot during the New Year celebrations, although that was not on the day in question.

At that time, her car tyres needed replacing and she had expected the person carrying out the work would come for the vehicle.

He declined to pick up the car and she was obliged to take it to him. En route, the vehicle skidded.

"It tippled over and thats all I remember," she stated.

She was made the subject of a probation order for 12 months and banned from driving for 28 months. She was also ordered to pay £34 court costs.