A BANNED driver was caught at the wheel after a workmate, who was also a special constable, tipped off police.

Officers waited for Nicholas Dixon to leave his job and followed him along the Droitwich to Kidderminster road, Worcester Crown Court was told.

They signalled the 28-year-old to stop and he skidded to a halt, but when a policeman got out of the patrol car to speak to him, he drove off at 60mph along a narrow lane, said Anthony Johnson, prosecuting.

He was eventually traced through his number plate and confessed to police: ''I only drive to work and back.''

Dixon, of Winfield House, Lincomb, Stourport-on-Severn, denied dangerous driving and his admission to careless driving was accepted.

He also admitted driving while disqualified and without insurance. He had been banned last year for drink-driving.

Miss Lucy Hawkins, defending, said there had been ill-feeling at Dixon's work and he had decided to quit his job after the driving incident last September. He had also scrapped his car.

Judge Ian Morris ordered him to carry out 120 hours unpaid work for the community.

He was also given a 12-month conditional discharge and disqualified from driving for six months.