JANET Anderson today won her campaign to ban the use of mobile phones while driving.

Motorists who use a hand held mobile phone behind the wheel will face fines of up to £1,000 and get three points on their licence every time they are caught.

Rossendale and Darwen MP Mrs Anderson launched her campaign for a ban last year and introduced her own Bill on the issue in a bid to prompt government action.

Today Transport secretary Alistair Darling moved to crack down on the dangerous practice across the United Kingdom.

From December 1 this year, it will be illegal to drive using a hand held phone.

Initially offenders will be subject to a £30 fixed penalty fine which can be increased to a maximum fine of £1,000 for regular offenders if the matter goes to court.

The government is also planning to legislate to make it an endorsable offence so that drivers will get three points on their licence each time they are caught holding a phone. This means frequent offenders could end up being disqualified.

Mrs Anderson said today: "I am absolutely delighted. It's more or less what was in my Bill.

"This is exactly what I wanted. It will make the roads safer and will undoubtedly save lives.

"The government came to the same conclusion that I did about hands-free sets that, while their use can be pretty dangerous, a ban on them would be very difficult to enforce."

The move was announced to MPs at Westminster in a written statement by Mr Darling's road safety minister David Jamieson.

He said: "Driving while using a mobile phone is dangerous. We are all too familiar with the sight of people driving along while holding and talking on their mobile phones. Any driver will be distracted by a phone call or a text message.

"It affects the ability to concentrate and anticipate the road ahead, putting the driver and other road users at risk.

"Our decision to introduce this new offence will make the roads safer for us all.

"Missing a call won't kill you - an accident quite possible could."

Road safety and the law on driving are matters reserved to Westminster since the creation of the Scottish Parliament and the new offence will apply throughout the United Kingdom.

Research has demonstrated that people who drive and use a mobile phone are four times more likely to have an accident.

Mr Jamieson warns that hands free calls are also distracting, and drivers who take these should be aware they still face prosecution for failing to have proper control of their vehicle, for careless or even reckless driving if use of the hand free phone affects their driving badly.