AN elderly drink driver has been been jailed after speeding at more than 100mph on the hard shoulder in an attempt to shake off chasing police.

Anthony John Goddard French, 74, of 'Knapp', Dunkeswell, was sent down for 26 weeks and banned from driving for five years following the incident at Junction 25 (Taunton) of the M5.

Taunton magistrates heard that "intoxicated" French put his foot down on the hard shoulder of the "crowded motorway" in a bid to get away from a police car with its blue lights and sirens on.

He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £115 and £85 costs after pleading guilty to dangerous driving on June 24 this year.

He will not be able to get behind the wheel again until he passes a test of competence to drive.

French was also handed a 12 week (concurrent) prison sentence after admitting drink driving in his Honda Accord.