A TEENAGE drink driver who crashed into a tree has been banned from the roads.

Lucy Ashton, 18, of Windermere, appeared at South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle when her alcohol level was more than twice the limit. Ashton had 72 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The limit is 35 microgrammes.The incident happened on Underbarrow Road, Kendal, on September 5.

The court heard Ashton drove to a friend's house for a party. She had arranged to be picked up but her lift failed to happen. The court was told that she is a lady of good character and when outside the house she panicked and needed to leave to get away from someone.

Ashton, of Thornthwaite Road, lost control of the car and hit a tree.

She was disqualified for 19 months, fined £125 and has to pay £85 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.