A WOMAN was nearly five times over the drink-drive limit when she went shopping for supplies for a barbecue, a court heard yesterday.

Eileen Grainger's white Nissan Micra had been followed by police into the car park of an off-licence in Hookstone Chase, Harrogate, the town's magistrates were told.

Tests later showed a breath alcohol level of 169 microgrammes, compared to the legal limit of 35.

Grainger, 49, pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

Her solicitor, Peter Olley, said she had agreed to provide food for the barbecue and had driven from her home in nearby Eleanor Road to collect it.

Putting Grainger on probation for three years, court chairman Lindsay Councell told her prison had come under serious consideration.

"You knew what you were doing and there is no excuse for an offence like this."

The court imposed a three-year driving ban and costs of £55.