A BOOZED-UP driver who was caught after she fell asleep on a motorway has been banned from the roads.

Renfrewshire businesswoman Kelly Larkin was clocked by a fellow motorist as she lay in the back seat of her car on the M74.

The witness was able to rouse 38-year-old Larkin, who was slumped over but refused to engage with him and went back to sleep.

He went on to direct traffic to prevent a collision while waiting for police to arrive.

Larkin, who owns a nail and beauty firm, was later found to be more than five times over the legal alcohol limit.

She pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to causing or permitting to cause a vehicle to remain on a road in such circumstances as to involve danger of injury to other persons.

Larkin, of Paisley, also admitted drink-driving and resisting, obstructing or hindering police.

She was found in her Audi by a passing motorist around 2.40am on the morning in question.

The car was on a bend within a lane, with its rear lights on but no hazards.

The witness put on a hi-vis jacket and directed traffic around the Audi.

Prosecutor Gail Campbell told the court: “He was concerned, as it was an extremely dangerous position.

“The witness observed Larkin lying asleep across the back seat of the vehicle. He made attempts to get her out but she looked at him before going back to sleep.”

When police arrived, Larkin refused to get out of the car.

It was noted that she was under the influence of alcohol and was later found to be unsteady on her feet.

Larkin was argumentative when officers put her in handcuffs. She tried to forcibly break free and pulled her body away.

Once being placed in custody, she took part in a breath test which gave a reading of 116 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, when the legal limit is 22mg.

Darran Khorasani, defending, told the court that Larkin is “disgusted and expresses her remorse.”

Sheriff Valerie Mays ordered Larkin to do 206 hours of unpaid work and put her under supervision for two years.

She was also disqualified from driving for 27 months.

Sheriff Mays told her: “This was a very dangerous incident. Other people could have been injured and you yourself could have been injured.

“It is credit to the person who stopped and directed the cars to stop a more serious incident.”