POLICE were tipped off about a woman who had been drinking and driving – and waited for her to arrive back at her Great Harwood home.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Dawn Andrea Lord was found to be nearly three times the legal drink drive limit after driving home from Preston, where she works as area support manager for Age Concern.

Lord, 43, of Glebe Street, Great Harwood, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol. She was made subject to community supervision for 12 months, ordered to pay £145 costs and banned from driving for 24 months.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said police received information about a possible drink driver at 6pm and parked in Glebe Street. Lord gave a reading of 93 against the legal limit of 35.

She said Lord had a previous conviction for drink driving 12 year ago.

Robin Phoenix, defending, said his client had alcohol issues 12 years ago but had sought help and got her life back together.

“She went back to college and got a degree and now has a responsible job,” said Mr Phoenix. “Issues have surfaced and she has turned back to alcohol – she accepts she has a problem again and is actively seeking help.”