TWO lorry drivers were seen using their mobile phones behind the wheel in just one afternoon as police launched an operation in North Dorset.

Both motorists were stopped within hours of each other on September 26.

The first stop took place in Shaftesbury. Officers from Dorset Police's No Excuse team halted an HGV after its driver was seen texting while driving.

One of the officers said: "The driver said he was reading a message from work.

"He's been reported for the offence, and will also be reported to the traffic commissioner's office."

A short time later, a second HGV was stopped in Gillingham after the driver was seen on his phone as he navigated the vehicle through the town centre.

"He tried blaming the person who was calling him," the No Excuse officer said.

"He admitted being shown footage during his training of a fatal collision involving an HGV driver on his phone. He has been issued with a ticket, and he will also be reported to the traffic commissioner's office."