A banned motorcyclist who led police on a high-speed chase near Bristol has been jailed for a year.

Police pulled over Bryn Tovey when his pillion passenger obscured the number plate of his Kawasaki motorcycle, Bristol Crown Court heard yesterday.

As an officer went up to speak to him he sped off and reached speeds of more than 100mph for 12 minutes before stopping when he "saw sense".

Tovey, 38, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and driving while disqualified and without insurance in May.

Judge Jamie Tabor QC told him: "You consider you are a very good motorcyclist, but anyone who rides at 85mph or 90mph on a wet road with a pillion in 40mph or 50mph limits is driving like a lunatic however great you think your skills are."

Tovey was disqualified from driving for 18 months and ordered to pass an extended driving test.

James Ward, prosecuting, told the court police followed Tovey as he rode at over 85mph through speed limits of between 30mph and 50mph.

He described how, at traffic lights in Congresbury, Tovey squeezed through a narrow gap, crossed a zebra crossing at 65mph and accelerated up to 90mph through a 40mph zone.

Mr Ward said: "Mr Tovey was seen to do unnecessary overtaking and a motorcycle was forced to swerve."

The court heard the pursuit progressed on the A38 from Churchill to Redhill, with Tovey reaching 100mph.

After crossing double white lines and overtaking a Volvo on a bend, he headed towards Bristol International Airport but pulled up and was arrested.

Mr Ward said police noted the rider's eyes were glazed and though he gave a positive test for driving over the alcohol limit, he was not charged with that offence.

The offence brought Tovey's convictions for driving whilst disqualified to five, the court heard.