Price used phone while driving giant pink horsebox

Her actions caused two other vehicles to move away as her 7.5- tonne vehicle drifted into their lane around midday on 19 February, magistrates heard.

Price was among eight people, including four adults and four children, travelling to Euro Disney in the vehicle, which she had driven only twice before.

Prosecutors said she was seen on the phone for two to three seconds by officers after they drove alongside her in a patrol vehicle following the "careless" manoeuvre into the opposite lane.

In her evidence to the court, Price denied using her phone behind the wheel, insisting she had no reason to because the horsebox was equipped with hands-free bluetooth.

Price, who already had seven points on her licence, was found guilty of not being in proper control of a vehicle. She was fined 1,000, plus costs of 650, at Mid Sussex Magistrates' Court. She had three points added to her licence.