A Mercedes driver has been told to anticipate a hefty fine and points on their licence after they were caught checking their emails on the motorway.

Kent Police Roads Policing Unit (RPU) took to Twitter on Friday to share the shocking excuse, so other motorists could take heed.

The tweet said: "Checking an email is not a suitable reason to use your mobile whilst driving at 70mph on the M20!

"Driver can expect 6 points and £200 fine!

"#fatal5 #eyesontheroad"

It is illegal to hold a phone or sat nav while driving or riding a motorcycle.

A police spokeswoman said: "Officers from the Roads Policing Unit stopped a white Mercedes on the M20 between junctions 11 and 12 at around 6pm on Friday, December 7.

"The driver was reported for using a mobile phone at the wheel."

The tweet prompted a strong response from other drivers on social media, calling for the penalty to be upped again.

Mobile phone driving laws were first brought in in December 2003, and since 2007 the penalty was three points on your licence and a fine which was £60 at first, but went up to £100 from 2013.

But in March last year, the penalty doubled to six points and a £200 fine.

The law still applies to you if you are stopped at traffic lights, queuing in traffic or supervising a learner driver.

You can use a hand-held phone if you’re safely parked or you need to call 999 or 112 in an emergency and it’s unsafe or impractical to stop.

You will also lose your licence if you have passed your driving test in the last two years and you are caught.