A WOMAN has admitted drink driving after her vehicle ended up in a hedge.

Lauren Elizabeth McAloon, 35, of Nant Y Gelynen Fach, Trefegwlys, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol when she appeared at Welshpool Magistrates Court.

Helen Tench, prosecuting, said that police attended a collision on the B4596 road near Trefegwlys in which a Vauxhall Astra had gone into a verge and hedge, shortly after 7pm on October 29.

McAloon was found in the drivers' seat and admitted that she had consumed half a bottle of wine before driving on her way from Llanidloes to Trefeglwys, skidding on a bend, and ending up in the hedge.

She gave a roadside breath test of 57 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Paul Inns, defending, said McAloon had just moved into a flat in Llanidloes where she had intended to stay the night, but there was a problem with the electricity so she decided to drive to her parents in Trefeglwys.

He said: "She was emptying boxes and had been consuming wine. It did not cross her mind, she felt fine to drive and it was an error of judgement on her part."

Mr Inns said due to the inevitable driving ban McAloon had had to give up her job as a carer but had found part-time employment since.

Chair of the magistrates bench, Cynthia McVey gave McAloon a £210 fine and banned her from driving for 16 months

She said: "I'm sure you realise what awful consequences could have occurred for you yourself and other road users. People could have been injured."

McAloon will also pay £85 costs and a £34 victim surcharge.