A motorist filmed deliberately driving through a puddle and splashing children at a bus stop in Devon faces prosecution for inconsiderate driving.

Police received complaints after the 30-second clip, which includes an excited commentary from the passenger, was posted on YouTube.

The clip was shot inside a car being driven down Weston Mill Hill, Plymouth. It has since been removed from YouTube.

Police said the driver had voluntarily contacted them and may be prosecuted.

The Road Traffic Act contains an offence of "careless, and inconsiderate, driving" and, according to Crown Prosecution Service policy, that could include driving through a puddle to splash bystanders.

'Real danger'

Courts may impose fines of up to £2,500 for such an offence.

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "Deliberately splashing people by driving through a big puddle could mean that the motorist was driving without reasonable consideration for other road users.

"There is also the real danger that by driving through deep water this could cause the driver of the vehicle to lose control and could result in a road traffic collision.

"People involved in this practice could find themselves prosecuted and points put on their licence."

In 2005 a Somerset motorist who soaked a workman by driving through a puddle admitted a charge of driving without due consideration and was fined £150 and given three penalty points by magistrates in Yeovil.