POLICE were alerted after a driver 'staggered' drunk into a petrol station shop in Cross Hills to buy wine, heard Skipton magistrates.

Melanie Crewe, 34, was clearly already drunk when she drove into the forecourt of the Co-op petrol station in Skipton Road at 5.30pm on November 24, the court heard.

A member of staff called the police and other customers prevented her from driving off, said Nadine Clough, prosecuting.

When the police arrived, Crewe was slumped in the driver's seat of her Suzuki Alto. She was unable to provide a road side breath test and was taken to the police station where a urine test revealed she had 290 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of urine, the legal limit is 107.

Crewe, who admitted drink driving, and who had an earlier conviction for failing to supply a specimen for analysis, worked for a law practice in the marketing department, the court was told.

She suffered with anxiety and depression and was currently on sick leave from work. She had been on medication at the time, had drunk two small bottles of wine after work and had driven to the Co-op with the intention of buying more.

She was full of remorse, and had the support of her employers.

Crewe, of Bobbin Mill, Steeton, was banned from driving for 40 months and fined £200 with costs of £85 and surcharge of £30. She was not given the option of taking the drink drivers rehabilitation course because of her previous conviction.