BIG Brother will be boarding the number 28 bus to spy on motorists using the A39 and A358 roads in and out of West Somerset.

Cameras are being put on a number of the First buses which operate between Minehead, Bridgwater and Taunton to film the actions of other road users.

And anyone caught breaking the law by bus-cam could find themselves on the receiving end of the long arm of the law and prosecuted for their offences.

Called Route Watch, the scheme is being spearheaded by the Somerset Road Safety Partnership and could be extended elsewhere in the county if it proves successful.

The police claim the scheme will both help to catch bad drivers and deter others from taking risks on the roads.

Minehead-based PC Charlie Fitzpatrick said: "We are hoping these cameras will deter bad and dangerous driving.

"The cameras will record drivers who are overtaking on solid white lines, for example, and when it is not safe to do so, such as on a bend or on the brow of a hill."

Offenders risk a fine, points or even a driving ban if they are caught by the roving spy cameras, which will only film vehicles directly in front of buses.

"Based on what the cameras show us and the severity of the offence, we will have the choice to give the driver advice, enrol them on an educational driving course or prosecute them," Mr Fitzpatrick said.

He said the scheme had been launched in response to feedback from community meetings between police representatives, local councils and members of the public.

If the trial in West Somerset proves successful over the next three months, Route Watch will be rolled out to cover Bath and Bristol as well as other parts of Somerset.

Mr Fitzpatrick added: "We won't tolerate inconsiderate and dangerous drivers on our roads.

"They endanger pedestrians and other motorists and, ultimately, themselves.

"We are grateful to the partnership and First Bus for agreeing to participate in this scheme, which directly addresses the concerns of local people about these two roads in particular."

But Alex Deane, director of civil liberties group Big Brother Watch, branded the spy cams as "absurd" and "truly troubling".

"Although recording what happens inside buses is intrusive, one can just about see the case for it," he said.

"But using cameras to record motorists, and anyone else present, outside the bus as it passes by is a truly troubling development.

"Plainly this police force doesn't care less about privacy - or indeed, wasting money – unless, as every motorist will fear, these cameras aren't about safety but petty revenue-raising through the fines they hope to issue with the footage."

Big Brother Watch was set up by the founders of the TaxPayers' Alliance to fight what they believe is the increasing use of technology to "snoop on the man in the street".