A Hawera woman is facing a raft of charges following a short but high speed police chase yesterday evening.

The 28-year-old, who failed to stop at a police alcohol checkpoint, later blew four times the legal alcohol limit.

She had four children aged from four to 14 years old in the car with her.

Sergeant Pat Duffy of the Taranaki Traffic Alcohol group said he is dismayed that anyone responsible for children would drive them while drunk and try to evade police at speed.

The woman faces charges relating to driving with excess breath alcohol, dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, and ill treatment of the four children.

Duffy said the charges reflect the seriousness of the driver's offending.