LANCASHIRE motorists have received the second highest number of speeding tickets in the country, it has been revealed.

The figures were released by the Home Office as the government said it was introducing a more flexible system of speeding penalties.

Some 162,058 people, one-tenth of the total speeding tickets handed out in the country, received fines in 2002.

Only motorists in Essex received more with 213,861 fines being issued there.

Lancashire's figure is more than a third of the total for the country.

The next-highest northern county to Lancashire was Greater Manchester with 43,182.

Gloucestershire motorists received the least tickets, with just 4,799 being handed out

Meanwhile, the government has moved to quell growing anger about speed cameras by announcing that just two licence penalty points will be issued to those caught driving slightly over the limit.

Drivers travelling way over the limit will be given six points.

Currently three points are issued for all speeding fines, unless courts add more one. A licence is revoked when 12 are accumulated.

The move coincides with a review of speed camera penalties by Lancashire Chief Constable Paul Stephenson, who is proposing to raise the trigger for fining motorists at the end of a three month review in June.