POLICE have vowed to take a "zero tolerance" approach in a bid to stop motorists using mobile phones while driving.

The pledge came seven days before punishments for the offence increase from a £30 fine to £60 and points on drivers' licences for the first time.

Lancashire police have decided to be extra tough by declaring the "zero tolerance" policy.

While welcoming the news, a motorists' group said that not enough was being done to tackle other types of dangerous driving.

Since it was made illegal in 2003, many motorists have continued to flout the law in the expectation that they will rarely be caught as officers had other priorities.

But police hope the promise of a £60 fine, three points on driving licences and a more strict approach will finally help stamp out the practice.

Road policing Sergeant Keith Jackson said: "Using a hand held mobile phone when driving is dangerous and illegal and after 27 February we will prosecute anyone found to be doing so.

"I urge motorists to make sure they have the correct equipment fitted into their cars so they are not tempted to use their mobile phone when driving.

"Those who continue to use mobile phones when driving should be warned that we will not tolerate this type of behaviour and we will take firm action against anyone found to be doing so."

Changes have been made nationally to the Road Safety Act to increase the penalties.

Kevin Clinton, head of road safety at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, welcomed the news.

He said: "Far too many motorists have been ignoring the mobile phone law and risking their own lives and those of others on the roads around them.

"We believe the threat of points on a licence and an increased fine will give this legislation new teeth, because those irresponsible people, who think their call is more important than someone's life, are likely to take the threat to their licence more seriously."

Hugh Bladon, spokesman for the Association of British Drivers campaign group, said: "There is a enough distraction as it is when driving and using phones to make a call or send a text message is really not very sensible."

Yet Mr Bladon said more needed to be done to tackle other dangers to road safety.

He said: "The Government has abdicated its responsibility as far as road safety is concerned.

"All they have done is said speed kills', stuck up speed cameras and taken police off the roads which is a retrograde step.

"As a result peoples' driving behaviour has got worse and worse."

We reported in October that serious accidents were at a six-year high in the county.

Road safety chiefs in response pledged to install two new speed cameras each year.

A crashed car is to tour the county to help get the mobile phone message across.

Under the new legislation, if a case reaches court magistrates will have the power to disqualify drivers and fine motorists up to £1,000.

Bus and heavy goods drivers can be fined up to £2,500.