DOZENS of motorists have been caught using mobile phones while driving since it became illegal.

Despite warnings that legislation was being introduced making calls on the move illegal, 71 offenders were found flouting the law over a 16-day period in Teesside.

Sergeant Nick Walker, of Cleveland Police's traffic department, said: "The results of this campaign were very disappointing.

"It would have been much more rewarding for us to have had very few or no offences whatsoever detected.

"This legislation was brought in as a safety issue to try to make the roads a safer place for everybody.''

He said drivers had been given a period of grace with offenders stopped and given a warning and advice.

But the high numbers of defiant drivers netted by officers reinforces the need to continue with enforcement said the force.

Sgt Walker said the law- breakers were compromising the safety of others by using mobile phones while driving.

"People who use the roads need to know that we are dealing positively with this issue and we are doing it for road users, the majority of whom are law abiding and carry out their journey with care," he said."