NICOLE RICHIE - DRINK-DRIVING CHARGE FOR RICHIE

US reality TV show star Nicole Richie has been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol.

A Los Angeles court has set up an arraignment hearing in four days time, but the daughter of single Lionel Richie is not be required to attend in person.

The charge relates to Richie being arrested by police on December 11th last year after 911 callers described a vehicle matching hers driving allegedly driving the wrong way down the freeway.

Because the 25-year-old already has a drink-driving conviction from June 2003 she faces up to a year in jail and a fine of $1,000 (£513).

"Nicole will deal with these charges in the appropriate forum," said her lawyer Howard Weitzman.

Richie is best known in the UK for her appearances in reality TV show The Simple Life, in which she stars alongside fellow socialite Paris Hilton, her on-off best friend.