A partially sighted pensioner who could only read a licence plate from one metre away has lost his licence after a crash.

The 79-year-old was driving his 4x4 Mitsubishi Shogun on the A26 Eridge Road near Crowborough when he was in collision with an articulated lorry outside a petrol station.

The man, from Eridge Green, was cut free from his vehicle and taken to Pembury Hospital in Tunbridge Wells with minor injuries.

When he was later asked to take an eyesight test by reading a car number plate at a distance, the Shogun driver’s inability to do so shocked officers who were present.

Sergeant Dan Pitcher, of East Sussex road policing unit, said: “He was only able to clearly read a number plate at a distance of just one metre, or 39 inches.

“The law says you must be able to read a number plate at 20.5 metres for an old style plate, or 20 metres for a new style one.

“As a result, the gentleman’s driving licence was immediately revoked by the DVLA and he is no longer allowed behind the wheel.”

The lorry driver was unhurt in the incident, which happened at about 12.45pm on June 27.

Sgt Pitcher said it was fortunate the driver’s poor vision had not had more serious consequences.

He urged all motorists to ensure that they are visually capable of driving according to the law’s requirements.

As the man was the only person who was injured and had his driving licence revoked, it is understood he is not being prosecuted as it is not considered in the public interest to do so.