A BBC radio presenter has been banned from driving for six months after clocking up a fourth speeding offence.

Graham Liver, who presents the BBC Radio Lancashire breakfast show from the station's Blackburn studios every morning, was found to have driven at more than 40mph in an average speed area.

Chorley Magistrates’ Court heard yesterday that Liver, 42, was driving a Peugeot on the A59 at Brockholes Brow, Preston, at around 5.30am on January 9.

Prosecutor Angela Glenn said Liver had been driving at an average speed of 47mph on the road which has a speed limit of 40mph.

She said: “The average speed cameras were set up due to public concern and to reduce the possibility of someone being injured or killed.

“There is signage there so it’s quite clear what the speed limit is.”

The court heard how Liver, who also occasionally presents BBC North West Tonight, had built up nine points on his driving licence for three different speeding offences.

These included three points in August 2015, three points in May 2016 and three points in October 2017.

David Mainwaring. defending Liver, of Manchester Road, Worsley, said his client had been mistaken over the speed limit in the area.

He also said a driving ban would cause Liver exceptional hardship with work.

Mr Mainwaring said: “He was driving above the speed in an area where the speed limit had not long been reduced. He was mistaken by the speed limit in the area.

“Disqualification would cause him exceptional hardship.”

He said that Liver had been employed in the BBC for 20 years, beginning as a senior reporter for BBC Cumbria and becoming a senior presenter on BBC Radio Lancashire.

He said: “Mr Liver starts work in the region of 5am and has to get to the studio in Blackburn to prepare for the breakfast show which starts at 6am.

“At the time he is due in, this is not a time where public transport is readily available.”

Mr Mainwaring said Liver’s job had seen him broadcast live from Winter Hill during the moorland fire last month, while he also covered the Boxing Day floods of 2015 in Padiham and Ribchester, both of which involved driving.

He said: “He would not be able to cover stories like that without being able to drive.”

Mr Mainwaring also mentioned how Liver had been involved in fundraising for BBC Radio Lancashire, which saw him travel throughout Lancashire and raise money for Children In Need.

He added: “Disqualification from driving could have a profound effect on his career.

“To potentially lose his job would have a significant personal and financial effect on his life.”

But magistrates’ rejected the argument. He was disqualified from driving for six months and ordered to pay a fine of £269.