A woman who was found lying face down in a street because she was so drunk had two children in her care at the time.

Toni Ashby was not able to speak properly or stand up - and had to prop herself up on a car after officers arrived at the scene in Herne Bay.

Police were called to the area at about 10pm on September 11 last year after concerned members of the public dialled 999 because she was so intoxicated.

Officers found her in a "dire condition", a court heard.

Ashby, of Elizabeth Court, Queen Street, Herne Bay, was stumbling around after drinking wine earlier that evening. She kept falling over and had to hold onto the vehicle just to stay on her feet.

The 36-year-old was later charged with two counts of being drunk in charge of a child and pleaded guilty to the offences when she appeared at Margate Magistrates Court last week.

Dylan Bradshaw prosecuting said: "It was about 10pm and a member of the public called police as she was lying face down on the street.

"It was a 999 call as she was in dire condition and was stumbling around, falling over and had to hold on to the vehicle. The police took control."

Magistrates were also told Ashby, after sobering up, told officers she had been out for a meal at a Turkish restaurant and had drunk wine on the evening in question and was suffering some memory loss as a result.

Mr Bradshaw added: "She has two very old convictions and one is drink-drive related which would indicate she has a drinking issue."

The bench was also told Ashby had previously been in an abusive relationship and had mental health issues as a result. An issue with alcohol had then manifested.

However, they were also told Ashby has now taken steps to address her drink problem and was getting help and was very sorry and remorseful for what happened.

Magistrates decided to adjourn sentencing and asked probation to carry out an all options pre-sentencing report on Ashby.

She will be sentenced at the same court on the afternoon of April 24 and was granted bail until then.