VETERAN motorist Sidney Black had not had an accident in 61 years' driving.

But when Black, 79, took off his glasses at the wheel, he skidded and ploughed through some police cones, a court heard.

Black was charged with driving his white Citroen with defective eyesight in Ermin Street, Stratton St Margaret, on April 26.

He had previously pleaded guilty by post and the case was adjourned by Swindon Magistrates Court for a driving ban to be considered.

The case is thought to be the first of its kind in Swindon.

Sara Beech, prosecuting, told Swindon magistrates that police at the scene of a road traffic collision had placed cones across Ermin Street.

Asked to take a roadside eye test after hitting them, Black could not read a registration number from 20 metres, but could do so from 30 with glasses.

Lee Mott, defending, said Black's eyes were running after he had collected drops from a pharmacy and he had removed his glasses to deal with the problem. He insisted that Black had seen the cones, and tried to go between them.

Black was fined £50 with £35 costs, and his licence endorsed with three penalty points.