A man and a woman swapped seats after their van was stopped by police on the M6 motorway, a court has heard.

Blackburn Magistrates' Court was told officers were alert to the move and Thomas Maughan was charged with disqualified driving.

Maughan, 43, formerly of Queen Victoria Street, Blackburn, but now living in Keele Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, pleaded guilty to  disqualified driving and driving without insurance.

He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 30 days Rehabilitation Activity Requirement.

He was also fined £120 with £85 costs and £48 victim surcharge, and banned from driving for 12 months.

Suzanne Byrne, prosecuting, said the Ford Transit van driven by Maughan was flagged down on the M6 toll road for other reasons on January 9, 2022, between Cannock and Lichfield.

"When it was stopped the occupants, a male and a female swapped seats to try and conceal who was driving," said Miss Byrne.

She said Maughan was disqualified from driving in May 2021 for going equipped for vehicle theft.

Richard Prew, mitigating, said the Probation Service had prepared a very positive report.

"He still has children in this area and the loss of his licence will cause his difficulties in getting back to see them," said Mr Prew.