SOCCER star Phil Babb has been banned from driving for six months after being caught travelling at more than 100mph in his BMW.

The Sunderland and Republic of Ireland player, who has 35 caps for his country and was once Britain's most expensive defender, was clocked at nearly 102mph on the M6 motorway, near Kendal, in the Lake District.

Babb, who enjoyed spells with Coventry City, Liverpool, and Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon, told Kendal magistrates that he already had six points on his licence for separate speeding offences, one in 2002 and one in 2003, with a further three pending for a more recent offence.

Clerk to the court Gerald Rees said that Babb would automatically face a ban under the totting up procedure.

Babb, 33, of Durham, said he drove about 20,000 miles a year and any ban would greatly affect him because he spent a lot of time with the club doing charity and community work.

Babb, who was not represented in court, said: "I understand that this was quite dangerous, but I would like the court to take into account that I was sorry for the offence. For a 16-year driving career I think I have done fairly well."

Magistrates fined him £500, with £35 costs, and banned him from driving for six months.