Great-grandmother-of-eight Caroline Turner, of Fairholme Avenue in Gidea Park, lost her driving license after a police chase spanning 27 miles - and speeds of just 10mph.

The 76-year-old finally stopped after an officer ran alongside her and tapped on the window, asking her to stop.

The OAP replied: “Why? What have I done?” When he said her driving was unacceptable, she responded: “There’s nothing to discuss, I’m going home.”

Caroline, a former Havering over-60s Artist of the Year winner, sparked a major police operation after she drove the wrong way around a roundabout in Thorpe le Soken, Essex, on Tuesday October 4.

She was pursued along the A12, ignoring flashing blue lights, and finally stopped in Marks Tey, Essex, when an officer ran alongside her Ford Fiesta.

Widow Caroline, whose husband passed away just five weeks before, was detained in a police cell overnight after officers feared her driving could lead to a fatal accident.

On Thursday (October 6) she appeared before Chelmsford Magistrates, admitting driving without due care and attention, and failing to stop for the police.

She was banned from driving for a year and fined �100, with �100 costs.

But the sprightly pensioner has now vowed to appeal the decision and “take it to the High Court if necessary.”

She told the Recorder she had been driving slowly due to the dark, adding: “It was quite unnecessary to keep me overnight. As my solicitor said, ‘they were using a hammer to crack a nut’.

“They said I was wheeling all over the place but that’s absolute nonsense. I’ve been driving for 22 years and I always drive at 50mph, I never drive at anything less.

“My taxi driver friend is driving me around but it’s costing me quite a lot.”

She added: “I really am fed up to the teeth with this and I’m going to appeal. I don’t see why I should have to take the test again.”