LEIGH MP Andy Burnham wants to make it compulsory for motorists to display a windscreen disc to show they are insured.

Mr Burnham decided to act after speaking with local people who had been involved in motoring accidents with drivers who had no insurance.

The reform is part of his bill, the National Insurance Contributions and Statutory Payments Bill, debated in the House of Commons yesterday (Wednesday).

He is confident the bill will become law.

Mr Burnham said the simple insurance disc system would help to slash the number of motorists driving on the road without any valid insurance.

He said: "There are over one million cars uninsured in the UK, and these drivers have the potential to wreck lives. A few constituents in Leigh have visited my surgery and told me about how they were involved in car accidents with people who had no insurance. There is always a high number of people up in court for driving without any insurance.

"It is a simple system and the new legislation could bring down the cost of insurance. It will not solve the problem completely, but it is a step in the right direction."

Hugh German, vice chairman of Bolton Advanced Motorists, welcomed the proposals.

He said: "There are lots of people driving uninsured at the moment and it's a serious offence. They are the kind of people who drive off when they have been involved in a car accident, leaving the victim lying in the road. There are lots of other countries who operate a similar system. It is a sensible way to tackle the problem."