An Isle of Wight driver has been banned from the roads after she smoked cannabis on Christmas Eve morning before getting behind the wheel of her car.

Suzanne Dunkling, of Nodgham Lane, Carisbrooke, attended the Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court earlier this month and pleaded guilty to drug driving.

Liz Miller, prosecuting, said the 53-year-old was recognised at the wheel of a Ford Fiesta by a patrolling officer on Gunville Road at 1.40pm on Christmas Eve last year.

Ms Miller told the court police stopped Dunkling on Nodgham Lane, where she identified herself to the officers and admitted she had smoked cannabis that morning.

Dunkling took a roadside drug test, which came back positive, and a further blood test at the police station showed she was almost three times over the legal cannabis limit for driving.

Lucy Linington, defending, said her client requires a hip replacement and suffers from arthritis, with cannabis used to self-medicate.

Ms Linington told magistrates Dunkling had smoked cannabis earlier that morning and had no concerns that she was unable to drive but is 'very remorseful' that she did.

Magistrates handed Dunkling a 12-month driving disqualification and ordered her to pay a £120 fine, £85 in costs and a £48 surcharge.