Their convictions were quashed by the High Court after a 10-year legal battle because Greater Manchester Police unknowingly used swabs containing alcohol while taking blood samples from suspected drink-drivers over more than 18 months.

Lawyers said that it was possible hundreds of other wrongly-banned drivers arrested between March 1987 and December 1988 might not be aware they were entitled to damages, which included sums up to £25,000.

Police denied liability

They included a driver who served a prison sentence and others who attempted suicide because of the prosecutions in Greater Manchester.

Solicitor Peter Garsden, whose firm represented 40 of those whose claims have been settled, said 30 other drivers had still to have their awards assessed.

The police had always denied liability but lawyers found a way to make the claims from the Home Office under the Criminal Justice Act after the convictions were quashed.

"These people were affected in varying and serious degrees," said Mr Garsden.

"There were a number of suicide attempts and some people lost their homes or their jobs because of the convictions. Several people suffered breakdowns and some lost their businesses.

"The compensation awards reflect the different ways in which they were affected."

Swabs contained alcohol

He said some motorists who had their convictions quashed might not subsequently have realised they were entitled to compensation because they had been told the police were disputing the claims.

The Greater Manchester force was the only one in the country to be sent the swabs containing alcohol, which were held to have tainted blood samples.

The errors came to light in a Home Office laboratory where the samples were being analysed.