Herbert Street, 96, was trying to get his F-reg Fiat Punto to a garage after its engine started to overheat. But, halfway there, there was so much steam coming from under the bonnet that he slowed right down as he drove along the A75 Gretna to Stranraer Euroroute.

Mr Street, who has been driving since 1924 and is now fighting to keep his licence, was having trouble seeing out of the front windscreen and failed to give way to a lorry at a roundabout, forcing it to brake to avoid a collision.

Another motorist alerted police, and when officers tried to stop Mr Street's car - which he calls Maggie Jane after his late wife - he mounted the verge in an attempt to get past. He was eventually stopped, breathalysed and had his car impounded.

At Dumfries Sheriff Court, the retired coastguard admitted driving carelessly and at an unnecessarily slow speed, but he says he will fight to retain his licence, as he poses no danger.

Mr Street, from Kirtlebridge, Dumfriesshire, said: "This is my tenth year of having a no-claims bonus. If I haven't had any bumps and the insurance company is giving me cheap insurance, my driving can't be that bad, can it?"