BARMAID Julie Ann Williams was three times over the alcohol limit when she caused a crash in which three vehicles were written off, Kidderminster magistrates have heard.

She swerved across the road and hit a transporter van and a four-wheel drive vehicle at Titton, Stourport, said prosecutor Liz Tweed.

Williams, 35, of Victory Close, Stourport, was banned for two and a half years and fined £365, with £60 costs.

She admitted driving with a blood alcohol reading of 256, against the limit of 80. Williams did not remember much about the accident, her solicitor, Paul Hitchcock, said.

She believed it had been caused by a momentary lapse of concentration as she reached for cigarettes.