ALLENTOWN — A Lehigh County judge has invalidated Allentown’s ban on the use of hand-held cell phones while driving.

Judge James T. Anthony wrote in an opinion late Wednesday that only the state, not local municipalities, can enact such a law.

An ordinance passed in March 2010 bans city drivers from using cell phones unless they have hands-free devices.

Two area residents convicted by a magisterial judge of violating the ban appealed to county court.