#SOUTHEND Radio presenter and former pop singer Tracie Young has spoken of her regrets after being caught drink-driving.

She was stopped by police as she headed home to her son, who was caught up inside a police cordon during an armed siege in Southend.

Appearing under her married name, Tracie Green, the Southend Radio 105.1 broadcaster was banned from driving for 14 months by Southend Magistrates’ Court.

The court was told the former singer, who had hits with Paul Weller’s record label in the Eighties as plain Tracie, had 81 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 microgrammes.

She was breathalysed after parking her Citroen in Shaftesbury Avenue, Southchurch, at about 10.40pm on July 6. Green, 46, was trying to get to her 14-year-old son at their home in neighbouring Elizabeth Road.

Although the boy was not directly involved in the siege, she was unable to reach him, as armed police dealing with the incident had sealed off the road.

In a statement following her court appearance, Green said: “I do not wish to deny any responsibility for what happened, and that is why I pleaded guilty in court.

“I made an unprecedented error of judgment under duress. I acted in a way extremely out of character and, while it is not an excuse, I was in great distress and worried for my son’s safety, so did an irrational and stupid thing, to try to be as close to events as possible for the duration of the siege, as it became prolonged.”

Her statement went on: “I regret very much what I did and am sorry for my actions. Until now, I have had a clean driving licence for 24 years and no criminal record whatsoever.”

Southend Radio, where Green has worked since March 2008, has backed her.

A statement from managing director Mark Jeeves said: “Tracie Young has been a valued and respected member of the on-air broadcasting team at Southend Radio since the station launched.

“Because of our longstanding relationship with her, we know her actions on this particular occasion were wholly out of character and brought about by exceptional circumstances – concern for her young son, who was caught up in an armed siege.

“Given these circumstances, and the dedication Tracie continues to show for Southend Radio, we are happy to stand by her during this difficult time.”

She was banned from driving, fined £400 and told also to pay £85 court costs and a £15 victim surcharge.