vicious French police victimise harmless British drivers

Seven British drivers were yesterday branded 'spoilt delinquents with more money than sense' by police after being arrested for racing through France at speeds of up to 130mph.

The drivers, who were not named by police but are believed to come from London, were bailed to appear in court at a later date.

Their cars, worth more than £100,000 each, will be sold.

Drivers received on-the-spot fines of euros 1500 (£1258).

"We are dealing with spoilt delinquents with more money than sense," said Captain David Adam, who said that a seventh Cannonball car, another Bentley, was stopped doing twice the 45mph speed limit through the Mont Blanc tunnel in the Alps.

But Jan Dechamps, a spokeswoman for the Cannonball Run, said they had been victimised by French police.

"It's discrimination really - it was nothing major, they weren't doing completely ridiculous speeds.