POLICE officers have been issued with fresh guidelines on speeding following the court appearance of Mark Milton, the Telford officer cleared after being caught clocking up 159mph in Shropshire.

A West Mercia Constabulary spokesman said officers were expected to exercise professional judgement and common sense at all times and that 'overwhelmingly' this was what happened.

"No officer should exceed speed limits when familiarising themselves with police vehicles or refreshing their driving skills at their own initiative," he said.

"When reacting to operational incidents which require an emergency response, officers will continue to drive in accordance with their training, at speeds that are safe and appropriate for the prevailing road conditions."

PC Milton was cleared of one count of dangerous driving and five counts of speeding at Ludlow Magistrates Court on Wednesday.