A DRUNK woman who drove on the wrong side of the motorway for 23 miles has pleaded guilty before North Somerset Courthouse.

Deborah Hunt, aged 43, drove the wrong way up the M5 while two times the legal alcohol limit in July.

Hunt pleaded guilty to driving the motor vehicle dangerously and a separate charge of drink-driving.

The mother-of-three joined the motorway at junction 24 and continued to drive on the wrong side at 60mph in the third lane at around 11.30pm in July.

The car stopped in the stretch between Burnham and Weston because it had run out of petrol.

Prosecuting, Michael Collins said: “Police recorded the distance as approximately 23 miles.

“Despite blue flashing lights she continued, making no attempt to alter her speed or cross a lane.

“The vehicle eventually did stop of its own accord on the hard shoulder.

“A police officer approached the vehicle which had its hazard lights on and she was alone sat in the driver’s seat and he could see her turning the key.

“The officer opened the door and saw Hunt to be under the influence of alcohol with a glazed look on her face.”

Hunt was taken to Weston police station where she registered more than twice the prescribed limit.

Defending solicitor Nigel Askham said: “She has an impeccable record, albeit since this incident, and it is understandable that she has not gone near a car since.

“There are a lot of things in the background which caused her to drink too much.

“She is on the cusp of a divorce which should be done by the end of August.

“She was made redundant in May last year and it is quite plain from what she tells me, and blowing that amount of breathe, that I can say she has very much come to the end of her tether.”

Hunt of Langport also pleaded guilty to driving the Peugeot 806 without insurance.

Magistrate Nick Baker said: “This was a very dangerous incident.

“You (Hunt) drove 23 miles the wrong way in lane three up the motorway where you were passed by police.

“You were two-and-a-half times over the limit and uninsured.”

Hunt will appear for sentencing at Bristol Crown Court on August 30 and is on unconditional bail.

She also has an interim disqualification for six months, banning her from driving.