England cricket hero Freddie Flintoff jokes with police after wife forgets to pay for petrol

England cricket hero Andrew Flintoff has been involved in banter with the police after his wife Rachael filled the car up with petrol and drove off without paying.

The star, nicknamed Freddie, revealed on Twitter: "Letter from the police today, somebody filled the car up bought some shopping and forgot to pay for the fuel, all sorted without doing time."

He also teased police in Wilmslow, Cheshire, asking: "All sorted @WilmslowNPU can I have the tag removed please?"

They joined in the fun, tweeting: "We'll be around later!"

After responding: "Rumbled!! I'm off to Spain," he added: "Just to clarify it was the wife's crime @WilmslowNPU so feel free to come round and take her!"

Last August Flintoff escaped a driving ban for speeding after arguing ''exceptional hardship'' to magistrates.

He was already on nine points for speeding and in danger of an automatic ban with another three points after admitting being behind the wheel when flashed by a camera doing 87mph on the M6, near Linstock, Cumbria the previous January, Carlisle Magistrates' Court heard.

But magistrates accepted a ban would amount to exceptional hardship because of the effect on others who rely on his extensive charity work and the privacy of his three children.

Instead, the former England captain, caught speeding four times in three years, was given the three points on his licence and fined £330 but allowed to keep driving.

He was warned he would not be able to use the same reasons again in court if he was caught speeding again in the next three years.