A speed limit order must be in place for speed limit road signs to be enforceable but no such order was made for a stretch of the A65 in Yeadon.

As soon as the bungle was discovered West Yorkshire Casualty Reduction Partnership said it contacted the 130 drivers caught driving at over 40mph by its cameras, since they became responsible for speed enforcement in 2004.

But legal eagles reckon hundreds more could have been nabbed by police in the 11 previous years and could stand to win substantial payouts.

Andrew Thompson, of Andrew Thompson & Co Solicitors, Leeds, said: "Given the length of time that there's been no traffic regulation order that means there's been no speed limit on that stretch of road for many years.

"I think it could affect hundreds of people."

Philip Gwynne, spokesman for the partnership, said it wasn't their mistake but all enforcement stopped immediately when it was revealed about a month ago.

He said: "We also immediately started the process of contacting all the motorists caught by camera during this period to say the speed limit was not technically enforceable."

They will get the three points taken off their licences and £60 fines refunded.

But Leeds man Ian Roberts lost his driving licence when the wrongly-imposed three points took him to 12.

He lost his job and his house as a result and plans to sue those responsible for the error - thought to be Leeds City Council.

The speed limit order is now in place.