A drink driver has been fined and banned after ploughing into a milk delivery van in Loughton.

Paige Ramsay, of Mornington Road in Leytonstone, was driving a white Ford Fiesta in High Road shortly after midnight on August 18 when she crashed into the van.

Its driver, a man, was injured and taken to hospital for treatment along with two passengers in Ramsay's car.

Sales assistant Ramsay initially told officers a fictional friend ‘Joe’ had been driving the car but later admitted to being behind the wheel.

She provided a roadside reading of 62mg per 100ml of breath and was arrested on suspicion of drink driving.

Three hours later, she gave an evidential reading of 48mg per 100ml of breath – still well above the legal limit despite the length of time since the incident.

The 28-year-old admitted driving a motor vehicle while above the legal alcohol limit when she appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on September 11.

She was fined £219 and was disqualified from driving for 14 months.

Ramsay must also pay a £34 victim charge and £105 in prosecution costs.

Sergeant Will Willsher said: “This incident could have ended much worse for both Ramsay and the driver of the milk van.

“I hope this serves as a reminder to anyone considering getting behind the wheel while under the influence of either drink or drugs. It is never OK to do this.

“Although legal limits are in place, I would always urge a group attending an event where there will be alcohol to decide upon a designated driver, who is not drinking, or arrange a taxi to get home safely.”