A driver was caught every eight minutes using their mobile phone at the wheel during police spot checks in Oxford today.

Traffic officers stopped 14 drivers using phones while driving in Marsh Lane, Headington, between 8am and 10am.

A further 27 motorists and five passengers were stopped for not wearing a seatbelt.

Pc Mark Pilling, of the Abingdon traffic unit, said: "This was a little bit more than we're used to.

"It may be that drivers, when leaving the northern bypass on the slower Marsh Lane, where traffic was backed up, believed they could use their mobile phones and lessen the risk. But it's still an offence.

"It's disappointing that in just two hours on one stretch of road, 32 people were travelling without their seatbelt and 14 were using their mobile phones.

"Drivers know this is illegal and the purpose of these checks is to educate them on the fact these laws are there for a reason and do save lives."

Police issued £30 fines to those caught without seatbelts but all opted to receive advice from an Oxfordshire County Council road safety officer and had the penalty rescinded.

All motorists caught using phones were issued with fixed penalty notices of £60 and three penalty points on their driving licences.

They can opt to pay £74 and attend a Call Divert workshop at a later date, rather than get the points.

One driver's car was seized and he was issued with a £200 fine for driving without insurance.