A reckless pensioner caught zooming down the motorway at 102mph has been banned from driving for just a week.

Margaret Plume pleaded guilty to the offence of exceeding the 70mph speed limit while whizzing along the M20 London-bound, near Maidstone.

The catering boss, of Crownfields, Weavering, near Maidstone told the court she was in a "heightened emotional state" after receiving some sad news and did not realise how fast she was driving.

At Folkestone Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, Plume described how after learning a friend’s cancer had returned she became distracted and lost track of her speed.

She then recalled her horror upon discovering how fast she had been travelling and admitted she probably should not have got behind the wheel in that condition.

After establishing a ban would impact Plume’s ability to travel to work, magistrates decided to give her a driving ban.

The 71-year-old has been stopped from driving for just seven days despite her exceeding the speed limit by more than 30mph in her white Mercedes-Benz.

Plume previously had a clean licence.

The pensioner was also handed a £288 fine and £110 of prosecution costs.