A driver who was fined for using a mobile phone at the wheel claims he was just adjusting his Bluetooth device.

Shaun Lovell is furious he has been slapped with a fine by police after being pulled over on the ring road near Warmley.

He was issued with a £60 fixed penalty notice and three points for talking on a mobile phone.

The 46-year-old of Pawlett Road, Hartcliffe, says he would never use a mobile phone while he was driving.

He says he even carries two Bluetooth devices just in case the batteries run out to avoid such a situation.

Mr Lovell says he received a call and took the Bluetooth off the passenger seat and put it to his ear.

He then put it back on the seat when the call was finished but was pulled over by police shortly afterwards.

Mr Lovell, who is self-employed, said: "The police saw me put something to my ear and stopped me. He said 'you were on your phone', I said, 'no, I was on my Bluetooth'.

"He rang the phone and the Bluetooth rang. He said he could hear it but declined to put it to his ear.

"I've always used a Bluetooth. I realised it was a good thing. I used it religiously before they even brought the law in.

"I would pay the £60 fine if I'd done something. I'd have gone straight to the court and paid my money. If you're wrong, you're wrong – do the crime pay the fine, but I'm not wrong."

The father-of-two, who rebuilds and supplies power steering racks and relies on his car for work, added: "I've driven 120,000 miles in the last six years and not had one incident.

"I see people on their phones while driving. If they are prepared to do that it's up to them. I don't talk on my mobile phone while driving."

Mr Lovell contacted Vodafone and went to a mobile phone shop in Bedminster to try to get evidence that proved he was on his Bluetooth at the time.

"The money I'd pay to get those printouts, well, it's unbelievable. I'd pay £200 no problem. It's the principle of it."

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset police, said: "We cannot comment on individual cases. It would be down to the man to put in an official complaint."