A DISQUALIFIED driver caught on a motorway lied to police about his identity.

Tony Jones, a jobless 26-year-old of Giles Street, Nelson, pleaded guilty to driving while banned and without insurance and obstructing a police officer.

He was sentenced to a 40-hours punishment order and had six motoring penalty points put on his licence by Blackpool magistrates.

Prosecutor, Roy Lewis, said just before 1am on August 31 a police patrol stopped Jones in a routine check as he drove a Peugeot on the M55 at Weeton.

At first Jones gave a false name, but then admitted his true identity. When asked why he had lied, Jones replied: "I am banned."

A police computer check revealed Jones was banned for 12 months by Burnley magistrates in September last year under the penalty points totting procedure.

The defence said Jones was behind the wheel because his girlfriend did not want to drive on a motorway.