A number of people from Bolton have managed to stay on the roads – despite accumulating points which would normally have resulted in a ban.

Under UK motoring law, a driver who accumulates 12 points can expect to have their licence taken away.

However a special exception to this exists.

If a driver can prove that exceptional hardship will result in them not being able to drive then they may be allowed to stay on the roads.

Examples of this include relatives being dependent on them or jobs being lost if they cannot drive.

An in recent months a number of people from Bolton have benefitted from this.

Suzzanne Fairhurst drove at 69mph on the M62 between junction 12 and 11 while driving a BMW in August last year.

The 60-year-old admitted the offence at Tameside Magistrates' Court.

She escaped a man from the roads as she works for an engineering company and regularly collects machines in the north west and in Stockton-on-Tees.

She was told she would lose her job if she lost her licence.

Fairhurst, of Belmont View, Harwood, was fined £203 and given six points on her licence.

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Marcus Cubbins drove a Mercedes Benz on Bradford Road, Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, while using a handheld mobile.

The 38-year-old admitted the offence at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates' Court.

However he dodged a ban from the roads as he would lose his home as he was self-employed running funfairs and he had employees who do not drive.

Cubbins, of Mill Street, Bromley Cross, was fined £115 and given six points on his licence.

Michael Heaton failed to tell the police who the driver of a Mercedes was.

The 45-year-old was required to tell officers who the driver of the vehicle, alleged to have been involved in an offence, in Winsford, Cheshire, failed to do so in October last year.

Heaton, of Harpers Lane, Smithills, avoided a ban as it would have a financial impact on him as he would lose his job.

He was given six points on his licence.