A speeding vicar has managed to cling onto his driving licence - despite being caught speeding for a fourth time.

Reverend Timothy Mark Edwards, from Irthington, appeared before magistrates in Carlisle after admitting driving his Skoda car at 36mph along Carlisle Road, in Brampton, on June 15. The legal limit is 30mph.

The 37-year-old vicar was given three penalty points for the offence, bringing his total to 12. He pleaded with magistrates not to impose an automatic driving ban.

John Smith, defending, said that Mr Edwards' job within the Parish Church of St Kentigern, in Irthington, meant he visited a lot of parishioners.

Many live in remote areas and, with no public transport and it being too far to cycle, it would be the public who would suffer should he be banned.

A ban would also prevent Mr Edwards from carrying out school visits and spending time with sick people at Carlisle's Cumberland Infirmary.

After a lengthy discussion magistrates agreed not to ban him. In addition to the points he was fined £144 with court costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £30.