POLICE said last night that no charges are to be brought over a motorway incident involving England cricket legend Ian Botham.

An investigation was launched in August into claims that a BMW, in which the former England star was a passenger, was being driven erratically on the A1(M).

Officers were alerted to the incident, which involved the blue car and a motorbike being ridden by a 33-year-old off-duty policeman from Surrey.

The incident was reported to have taken place as the two vehicles headed south between junction 61 of the A1(M), at Bowburn, County Durham, and junction 59, near Newton Aycliffe.

The off-duty officer, who did not wish to be named, told The Northern Echo at the time that Mr Botham was taking pictures of him from the car.

The former cricketer's agent, however, said the policeman had taken out his ID and pressed it against the vehicle's window. He added that Mr Botham had been taking pictures "as evidence".

The incident occurred on August 8, and Durham Police began inquiries that week.

Last night, a force spokesman said: "All of the inquiries into the incident have been completed.

"No action is to be taken against either of the parties said to have been involved - the driver of the car or the off-duty police officer on the motorcycle."

Mr Botham, a former England captain and County Durham player, has a home at Ravensworth, near Richmond, North Yorkshire.