DOZENS of motorists were hit by fines and penalty points as the get-tough policy on hand-held mobile phones came into force.

Police said 10 motorists were stopped in Eastern Division which covers Blackburn, Darwen, Accrington and Ribble Valley.

It is believed a similar amount of £60 fixed penalty notices with three penalty points were handed out to motorists in neighbouring Pennine Division, covering Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale.

Elsewhere in the county in Preston, Chorley and Skelmersdale police issued seven fixed penalty notices.

Brake, the road safety charity, has already said the punishment, increased from a flat £30 fine, was not enough and said motorists should be hit with a £1,000 fine and have their phones confiscated.

But Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans said motorists felt they were being "persecuted" and said he would have preferred drivers let off with a warning.

A police spokesman for said: "We have been out on the roads actively targeted any motorists who have been flouting the law.

"Geographic officers also have the power to issue the fixed penalty notices to motorists who are seen driving while using a hand-held mobile."

Tory MP Mr Evans said: "I would liked to have seen the police just give warnings during the initial couple of months.

"Motorists already feel they are being persecuted. I feel motorists are already suspicious and feel it is yet another money-making exercise."

UK drivers are still permitted to use hands-free kits, even though many road safety experts say any phone calls are as distracting to drivers.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said that since 1998, there had been 20 deaths on Britain's roads involving mobile phones.

Safety chiefs said motorists are four times more likely to be involved in an accident when using a mobile phone.