COMPANY executive Ian Pendlebury was clocked doing 106mph on the M65 while driving his Jaguar XJR to his Brierfield home in the early hours of the morning.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Pendlebury, chief executive of Flexible Reinforcements Ltd, of Clitheroe, had his mind on other things as he drove from his parents' home in Cleveleys.

And the magistrates were told that his conviction would spoil a faultless 40-year driving record, during which Pendlebury had driven up to a million miles and never had so much as a parking ticket.

Pendlebury, 57, of Ribchester Way, Brierfield, pleaded guilty to speeding and was fined £300 with £30 costs and his licence endorsed with six penalty points. Magistrates said they were not exercising their discretion to disqualify because of the 'exceptional circumstances' surrounding the incident.

Under normal circumstances, speeds in excess of 100mph would attract disqualification," said the chairman. "However, given the exceptional circumstances you found yourself in and your previous lack of motoring convictions, we are not going down that route.

"You are to be commended for your loyalty to your parents, your company and your community," he added.

John Holdsworth, defending, said Flexible Reinforcements and it's sister company, Rectella, have sites in Clitheroe and Burnley and Pendle.

He said the company was successful because of Pendlebury's drive and enthusiasm, but his client still found time to be involved with the Trinity Community Partnership in Clitheroe, and the Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Youth Enterprise.

He said Pendlebury, a divorced man, had been visiting his parents in Cleveleys as he did three times a week. Neither had been well and he had stayed later than usual to make sure they were settled for the night. "As he drove home his mind was on two things, his parents, who he was worried about, and the following day's work," said Mr Holdsworth.

"He knew he was going faster than he should but not that he was travelling at that excessive speed."