A MOTORIST who drove the wrong way along an M6 fast lane as she headed for Barrow made a "catastrophic error", a court heard.

Samantha McClelland, 43, forced stunned oncoming motorists to take desperate evasive action as she travelled south in darkness on the northbound carriageway.

Six 999 calls were made within minutes before McClelland's vehicle was found parked up on the hard shoulder. She later admitted a dangerous driving offence, and on Friday was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court.

Prosecutor Amanda Johnson said police who spoke to McClelland learned she and a male passenger had travelled to England from her home in Northern Ireland earlier that day.

"She was heading towards South Cumbria, heading for Barrow," said Ms Johnson.

"She said she had got no idea where she was and seemed surprised to be told she was on a motorway." Ms Johnson added:

"Fortunately no damage to any other vehicle or collision was caused, and it was said that the driving lasted for about five or six minutes before the defendant realised and pulled in."

Lucy Wright, defending, insisted that McClelland's bad driving had not been deliberate.

"This was without malice, without intention. It was a catastrophic driving error," said Miss Wright.

"She wishes to express her remorse and apologies."

Recorder Michael Murray imposed a one-month prison sentence which he suspended for 12 months. McClelland, of Duddys Court, Londonderry, was also given an 18-month driving ban.

She was told by Recorder Murray: "It really was an exceptionally dangerous piece of driving which could have easily had terrible, fatal consequences.

"It didn't happen, which was fortunate. You were not driving in that fashion deliberately. "It was massive inadvertence on your part, if that is not understating it."

The court was also told how the offence was committed in October, 2012.

A communication breakdown was blamed for the lengthy delay in bringing the matter to court.