More than 300 people were fined in three weeks for driving in Sussex while on their mobile phone.

Police in the county raised £20,040 in 22 days after laws were toughened on using hand-held phones at the wheel.

They slapped 334 people with fines and points on their licences, making Sussex one of the strictest forces in the country.

Only four other forces out of 37 surveyed in England and Scotland gave out more fines.

The ban on the use of hand-held mobiles while driving was first introduced in December 2003.

On February 27, the fixed-penalty fine for offenders doubled to £60.

Three penalty points are added to an offender's driving licence, which take four years to come off.

Courts were also given powers to give a maximum fine of £1,000 or £2,500 in the case of a driver of a bus, coach or goods vehicle.

Drivers are thought to be four times more likely to have an accident if they are using a hand-held mobile phone.

Around the country, at least six motorists were fined under the new law for using their phone while instructing a learner driver, as they were legally in charge of the wheel.

Other drivers were fined for not being in proper control of their vehicle when using a hands-free kit, and one for eating a cheese and pickle sandwich behind the wheel.

Meredydd Hughes, Association of Chief Police Officers spokesman for road policing, welcomed the figures.

He said: "It is quite clear that the tough new penalties along with tougher enforcement are having an effect on making motorists think twice about using a mobile phone when driving.

"These figures are encouraging, although it is too soon to fully evaluate the effect these changes have had."

Diane Ferreira, of road safety charity Brake, said the penalties were welcome, but did not go far enough.

The group has called for fines of up to £1,000 and six penalty points to reflect the danger of using a mobile phone at the wheel.

She said: "This is a very serious crime. Unless we get the message across people are going to continue to die at the hands of people who are 'just' making a call or sending a text."