A BUSINESSMAN from Cornwall has kept his licence despite racking up enough points to warrant a driving ban after being caught speeding on the M5 in Somerset.

Samuel John Bishop, 40, of Trevanson Road, Wadebridge, Cornwall, pleaded guilty at Taunton Magistrates' Court to doing 79mph between junctions 24 (North Petherton) and 23 (Bridgwater) on April 5 last year.

He was given six points on his licence and fined £1,153 with a £115 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

Despite receiving 12 points over three years, Bishop was not disqualified from driving as the court heard his farm business relies on him "heavily", including holiday lets and a wedding venue.

Magistrates decided his wife and sister-in-law, who are shareholders in the business, would suffer if he lost his licence.