Chitty Chitty Bang ban

She was the child star who spent a year riding around in a quirky car which drove itself and could even fly.

But, despite everything Heather Ripley discovered on her adventures in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, it seems she never learned that you need a licence to get behind the wheel.

Ripley who, as a nine-year-old, played Jemima in the 1968 film, appeared in court yesterday to admit driving without a licence, saying her application had got lost in the post.

The 45-year-old was not Bang-Banged up but left Perth Sheriff Court in Scotland believing she had been banned for 12 months.

However, in a fairytale twist, the verdict was overturned two hours later when her lawyer pointed out to the sheriff that he could only impose a maximum of six penalty points.

Ripley, who already had six points on her licence, had four more added and was fined £175 instead.

It may not sound much for a oncefamous actress but, despite the success of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Ripley is now jobless and living on benefits of £55 a week. The mother of two, of Findhorn, Morayshire, was at school in Dundee when she was picked for the role from among thousands of children.

She quit acting after making the film with stars Dick Van Dyke and Sally Anne Howes and was paid £7,000, which was held in trust for her until she was 18.

She now spends her time as a peace campaigner and was once arrested outside Faslane nuclear submarine base, spending 15 hours in jail.

After changing her name for a time and scorning her links with the film, she has now begun to accept her place in cinema history - at a price.

She attends fan conventions and signs photos for £15 a time.

Ripley has also mentioned plans to write a book about her experiences.