HUNDREDS of thousands of motorists in Essex could have speeding convictions quashed because of a serious blunder by police.

A member of staff hired by Essex Police to issue fines and prosecution letters to motorists across the county may have been doing so without the necessary legal authorisation.

It means the police could face compensation claims of as much as £50million from drivers issued with fixed penalty notices over the past four years.

The error may affect every fixed penalty notice issued to drivers caught speeding by fixed and mobile speed cameras, as well as the average speed cameras recently installed on the A127 between Basildon and Southend.

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