A hearse driver has been caught talking on a mobile phone while at the wheel.

The motorist was left red faced-after police spotted them chatting away on the device in Dover.

Kent Police's Road Safety Unit tweeted a picture of the vehicle this afternoon and issued the driver with a traffic offence report.

"Hopefully, this has prevented someone from being transported in the back at a later date," the officers said.

The vehicle was pulled over near the BP garage in Limekiln Street.

Police were forced to make a similar stop in Dartford last week, when another driver caught chatting on her mobile while behind the wheel asked officers: "So I can't use my phone even if it's on speaker?"

Officers in Dartford pulled over a black Ford Focus in Princes Road at around 11am on January 8 after spotting the driver holding the device up to her face and talking on a call.

She said she couldn't use the phone holder as it kept falling off and "wouldn't stick".

According to gov.uk, it is illegal to hold and use a phone, sat nav, tablet, or any device that can send or receive data, while driving.

The standard penalty for being caught is six penalty points and a fine of up to £200.

There are some exceptions, including calling 999 for an emergency or if you are safely parked.

You are also allowed to make a contactless payment in a vehicle that is not moving, for example at a drive-thru restaurant

You can use devices with hands-free access, as long as you do not hold them at any time during usage.