She was stopped by police outside a video shop last month after a motorist called to report seeing a swerving car.

Court officials said Ross entered the plea to three misdemeanour charges last week through her solicitor in a "notice of appearance" letter to Tucson City Court.

She had been due to appear in court on Monday, but the date was cancelled and she is now due to appear in court for a hearing on 31 January.

Her solicitor in Phoenix declined to comment on the case.

Vehicle reported

Ross has said she was trying to rent a video and got lost when she was stopped and arrested, according to a police report.

Police Officer Scott Sullivan in his report said he stopped Ross after someone reported a vehicle was driving south in northbound lanes.

Last year Ross checked into a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre in California before the start of a summer tour.

She first found fame with the Supremes after neighbour Smokey Robinson arranged contact with legendary Motown Records.

The group scored hits with Where Did Our Love Go?, Stop in the Name of Love and My World Is Empty Without You before Ross found renewed fame as a solo artist in the 1970s.

Hits like Ain't No Mountain High Enough were followed by a 1980s revival with Chain Reaction.