TRAFFIC wardens are playing a key part in a new police scheme to make the roads safer by stopping people who use mobile phones while driving.

Operation Delve, launched last week, is scheduled to run through the summer months. Wardens will also pull over people who are not wearing a seatbelt, and will stop any unroadworthy vehicles.

Different areas of the city are being targeted.

Senior warden Bob Feeney said: "Our aim is to make the roads of the city of Preston safer by removing cars that have serious defects. We want to enforce the message that using your mobile phone whilst driving your car is extremely dangerous, whilst wearing a seat belt could potentially save your life.

Working alongside the wardens will be DVLA enforcement officers, officers from the Vehicle Inspectorate, and taxi enforcement officers from the council and the Benefits Agency. Taxis are being checked too.

We will be changing the location around each day."

So far the operation has netted 27 vehicles for not being taxed, 19 fixed penalty notices have been issued to people using mobile phones or having no seatbelt, eight vehicles have been taken off the roads, and four cases of suspected benefit fraud are being investigated.