SPOT checks by traffic police on caravan users travelling through North Yorkshire have revealed a shocking list of dangerous and illegal vehicles.

Officers have stopped dozens of caravans travelling through the county over the past seven days as part of a crackdown on ageing and unroadworthy vehicles.

Eight caravans were taken straight off the road, mainly because they were too heavy for the vehicles towing them, while two fixed penalties and 13 warnings were handed out for the same reason. Other drivers were issued with warning notices which order them to get minor defects remedied immediately.

Sergeant Ian Butler said: "The results are very poor indeed. I suggest that a worryingly large proportion of caravan owners do not care about their own or other people's safety."

Further checks are planned for later this year, and officers have vowed to get tough on motorists who fail to abide by the law and follow common sense.

Sgt Butler added: "This simply is not good enough. Overweight caravans can be very dangerous and difficult to control.

"It defies belief that people are happy to take their families on holiday in vehicles with unroadworthy tyres or illegal lights.

"North Yorkshire Police takes this situation seriously and will continue to take firm action against any road user who jeopardises the safety of other users."

Updated: 08:50 Thursday, May 06, 2004