PEEBLES police believe they've clocked the fastest ever speeder on Scottish roads along the Dolphinton Straight.

Berwickshire bike rider Neil Purves is accused of hitting 166 miles per hour along the one-mile stretch of A702 on May 13.

The 27-year-old from Cockburnspath was due to appear at Peebles Sheriff Court to face the charge.

But his legal firm - roadtrafficlaw.com - have asked for the case to be continued for four weeks while they investigate the allegations.

Routine patrols on the Dolphinton Straight snared about 20 drivers going over 100 miles per hour last year.

And similar speedtrap operations in the past few months have caught several more. Cameron Grost from Bassenthwaite, in Cumbria, this week admitted reaching 103mph on his motorbike on the same day as Mr Purves is alleged to have broken the Scottish speed record.

The 23-year-old admitted the offence by letter and will appear for sentencing next month.

And last month company director Andrew Montgomery from Edinburgh was banned for 12 months after being caught driving at 108 mph along Dolphinton Straight.

Another driver was also in the dock at Peebles this week for alleged speeding on the same stretch of road. Scott Shepherd from Broughty Ferry denies clocking 122 mph on March 31 and will stand trial next month.

Lothian and Borders Police carry out regular checks on the A702.

Sergeant Brian Jones from Road Policing told the Peeblesshire News: "People who are reaching these excessively high speeds have total disregard for other road users as well as themselves.

"We are aware of local concerns over speeding on this part of the A702 between West Linton and Dolphinton and we will continue to do everything possible to deter motorists from driving at these types of speeds." It is estimated that the stopping distance for anyone travelling at 120 mph would be around 500 feet. Scotland's fastest convicted speeder is Jason McAllister - who was caught doing 156.7 mph on the A90 between Aberdeen and Dundee last year.