LEGENDARY rock star Eric Clapton lives life in the fast lane - now he's counting the cost of being caught speeding...in Leyland!

The famous guitarist was stopped in his gleaming one-week old silver Ferrari 550 on the M6 southbound on his birthday, March 30.

The star's run-in with the law came to light this week when police launched a campaign to crackdown on speeding drivers.

Clapton was pulled over by an officer who gave him a £40 fine and three points on his licence.

He told police he was travelling to his home in the south following a birthday party with friends in Yorkshire.

This week police announced speeding motorists in Preston could be 'shot' by officers armed with hi-tec lasers used by NASA scientists.

The £18,000 laser gun, unveiled on Tuesday (Sept 16), is one of two on trial at Preston's accident blackspots, regular speed zones and Lancashire's motorways - including where Clapton was clocked.

Chief Inspector Ian Bell, of Lancashire Constabulary's road safety unit, said: "The laser gun is accurate and effective at targeting speeding vehicles of all sizes."

Sergeant Garth Routh, of Lancashire's Motorway Police unit which dealt with the Clapton case, said: "We all saw the horrific carnage of Princess Diana's car crash. We see similar scenes every day and we've had enough."

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