A high-flying bank worker told a court she had sold her Audi and bought a push bike after being caught drink-driving.

Laura Upton, from Matfield, was on her way home after a night out when she was spotted swerving across the road.

Officers, who were on an early morning patrol, decided to pull her over in Tonbridge after seeing her crossing the white line on at least five occasions as well as braking unnecessarily.

Upton admitted she’d had a lot to drink before getting behind the wheel and was arrested.

The 35-year-old, who travels all over the world for her work, earning £1,500 a week, was taken to a police station and, when given further breath tests, gave a reading of 91 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

The legal limit is 35.

Upton of Homebush Green, Matfield, spent a night in the cells and was later charged with drink-driving.

She admitted the offence when she appeared before magistrates in Maidstone on Tuesday (August 15).

Magistrates were told Upton – who was pulled over at about 2.10am on July 23, on the road she lives in – had no previous convictions.

Christina Rowberry, prosecuting, said: “She was the only one in the vehicle and officers saw it swerving across the road and it went across the white line five times.

“She was pulled over and accepted she’d had a lot to drink and was arrested.”

The court also heard that, on the night in question, Upton had been out with friends and had not eaten too much.

But as her glass had been topped up by others she hadn’t kept track of how much she was consuming and felt fine to drive that night.

Magistrates were also told she doesn’t usually drink and works 12 hours a day, sometimes seven days a week;

She has since sold her car, purchased a push bike and uses public transport to get about, the court heard.

Speaking to magistrates, Upton said: “I am genuinely very sorry, I have been to hell and back, I just wanted to apologise.”

Chairman of the bench, Diane Chambers, said: “It’s apparent you have made a silly mistake, but an accident could have occurred and you could have hurt people or you could get hurt.

“You are lucky that didn’t happen. We don't believe you will be back in court, but it was high-level impairment.”

Magistrates banned Upton from driving for 23 months, which will be reduced by a quarter if she completes a drink-driving course, and fined her £1,500.

She must also pay a victim surcharge of £600 and £85 in court costs.