SPEEDING is a serious offence. Breaking the speed limit costs lives and we support the hard line police forces across the country have taken to crack down on drivers who break the law.

That said, anyone who has ever been caught speeding - and that is the majority of drivers - will take great interest in the news that two North Yorkshire police officers have had charges dropped by proving that road signs were illegal.

David Burlingham and Andrew Macfarlane were allegedly caught speeding while off-duty but the Crown Prosecution Service offered no evidence against them at Guisborough Magistrates Court yesterday when it was shown that road signs did not fit legal requirements.

The officers challenged the charges when they were notified by a colleague that he suspected that many speed cameras were illegal throughout Teesside.

That leaves Cleveland Police and local council officials facing an avalanche of claims from motorists with speeding charges pending.

It is an almighty cock-up with huge financial and administrative implications. It also does nothing for the public image of the police.

Two years ago, there was national outrage when Cleveland Chief Superintendent Adrian Roberts had a speeding ticket withdrawn because he was unable to say who was driving at the time his car was caught on camera.

It led to questions about whether there was one law for the police and another for the public.

While we have to accept that the two officers concerned were within their rights to challenge the legality of the allegations made against them in this latest case, it will inevitably leave a bad taste in the mouths of ordinary motorists.

George the loser

GEORGE Best badly let down the family of his liver donor with his return to drinking in recent weeks.

He has now unforgivably let down the wife who stood by him for so long by having a seedy affair.

George Best had a loving wife who couldn't bear to leave him while he was so sick.

By betraying her trust, he has made the decision for her. What a fool.