Bedfordshire police last week started a winter campaign to cut road offences.

A spokeswoman said despite warnings of the hazards of using mobile phones when driving they find that a large number of people are still breaking the law.

Inspector Jane Aspin said: "There's no excuse for drivers, particularly where children are involved."

The number of fixed penalty notices handed out to drivers breaking the law came as a surprise to the officers involved, Insp Aspin said.

"It's particularly important at this time of year to drive carefully. This year seven people have been killed in Bedfordshire while not wearing their seat belts.