Thousands of drivers across the UK were caught using mobile devices while driving in a targeted police campaign during November last year.

8,000 motorists from across England, Wales and Northern Ireland received fines for the offences, which averaged out at 40 penalties each hour.

The campaign resulted in 68 court summonses, alongside hundreds of verbal warnings. 117 other distraction-related offences were also recorded – including eating while behind the wheel.

Calling the campaign's results "encouraging", police said another week-long campaign would begin soon.

Anyone caught using a hand-held device while driving a vehicle can face penalty points as well as a fine.

Due in part to a number of high profile cases involving traffic incidents linked to mobile phone use, calls to crackdown on drivers using phone behind the wheel increased last year.

One of the most widely-publicised cases involved Tomasz Kroker, who killed a mother and three children with his lorry while distracted by his mobile. He received a 10-year jail sentence.

Police are aiming to make the use of a mobile device while driving socially unacceptable. According to Matt Butler, a traffic inspector for Dorset Police, the offence is not yet viewed as seriously as it should be.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Butler said:

"Although you may get away with it [using your mobile behind the wheel] a few times, sooner or later you are going to have a crash and that crash is going to hurt somebody really badly."

"So it is not just about 'I've been naughty, I've been caught doing something', it's about the end effect and that is what we need people to remember."

Last year the Department of Transport revealed plans to double the penalty for using a mobile device behind the wheel.