More drivers are being caught using mobile phones on Kent's roads, despite harsher penalties that could mean a £200 fine and six points on their licence.

Police recorded a total of 1,096 offences last year of people using devices at the wheel.

That is up from 824 in 2016 and 782 in 2015.

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The growing number comes despite the launch of new legislation which has seen the penalties a driver can face increase sharply.

Before March 2017 motorists could get three points on their licence and be fined up to £100.

But a new law means drivers caught on their devices could get six points on their licence and face up to £200 fine.

Head of road safety at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, Kevin Clinton, said: "It's dangerous to use a mobile phone when you're driving for a number of reasons.

"Your speeding and attitude is less predictable for others and it takes longer for drivers on their phone to react quickly.

"People are killed because drivers use a mobile phone.

"It might be pedestrians, a cyclist or someone in another vehicle.

"If the trend is up in an area it tells us a lot of things, it may be that the police are struggling to get enough officers out there.

"It's also a sign of how ingrained using a mobile phone is.

"The law at the moment only focuses on a handheld phone so we need the law to expand to include hands free kits."

The county's police force has defended the numbers by saying officers routinely carry out campaigns to crack down on drivers using devices.

Kent Police's Chief Inspector, Richard Smeed, said: "Motorists who use their mobile phones while driving are not only breaking the law but are also putting themselves in danger, as well as other road users and pedestrians.

"We carry out regular patrols to identify those committing all types of traffic offences, and the increased number of people issued with fixed penalty notices in Kent is proof of our commitment to tackling mobile phone use at the wheel and keeping our roads as safe as possible.

"Our officers also participate in national operations designed to clamp down on those responsible and help raise awareness of the risks they are placing themselves and other motorists in – not just through calls and texts but also streaming videos, posting on social media and accessing other smartphone features.

"It is important that motorists take responsibility for their safety and that of other road-users, and do not commit such reckless offences."

Motoring editor of Confused.com, which asked Kent Police for the information, Amanda Stretton, said: "What's worrying is so many drivers are still in the dark about what’s legal and what’s not when it comes to using a mobile phone while driving."

Ms Stretton also added the offence could have an impact on people's insurance premiums.