A policeman in an unmarked car had to swerve to avoid a head-on crash with a motorcyclist racing at 100mph.

Scott Richardson, 24, was riding a Triumph bike when he pulled out from behind a lorry into the path of the oncoming police car before speeding away.

The officers followed the motorbike and Richardson was arrested.

At Lewes Crown Court he admitted dangerous driving and was given an eight-month jail sentence suspended for 18 months.

Richardson, of Percival Road, Eastbourne, who only holds a provisional driving licence, also admitted driving without insurance and without L plates.

He was ordered to abide by a night-time curfew for six months and was banned from driving for 18 months.

The court was told Richardson, a steel worker, was on his way to work at about 5.30am on November 12 last year when he narrowly missed colliding with the police car travelling in the opposite direction on the A22 near Hailsham.

Dianne Gordon-Bassett, prosecuting, said it was a dark, damp and frosty morning when the officer saw the bike swerve over the doublewhite line.

She said: "This forced the police car to take evasive action to avoid a head-on collision."

Police followed for nearly a mile at speeds approaching 100mph before he stopped.

Richardson, who has previous convictions for stealing cars and driving while disqualified, told police he was speeding because he was late for work.

He was ordered to pay £722 costs.