A MISTAKE by vehicle licensing bosses has caused a stink at car dealerships across Preston.

March 1 will see anxious drivers lining up to receive their new cars after this year's first new number plates are introduced.

And to get ready for the rush, garages in the Preston and South Ribble areas have already ordered their supplies of up-to-date plates.

But three dealerships in Preston got a surprise when their new stock arrived.

Fred Coupe Nissan, in Chorley Road, Walton-le-Dale, were sent a supply of 200 new plates by the DVLA.

But when they were delivered, shocked staff noticed they all 'whiffed' of the identical lettering PO02 -- instead of the random letters they should have printed on them.

Christine Lee, sales administration manager at the car showroom, spotted the blunder.

She said: "When I first saw the numbers, I just stared at the screen thinking it was a wind-up, but it wasn't."

Boss Julian Coupe said: "All Nissan dealers order their plates on the computers. We are no different and applied for all our new plates that way.

"But these plates should never have been used from the start.

"It should have been random rather than PO02. But until we get new plates we are stuck with these!

"People always wait until the first of the month for the new plates. All our cars are ready for them to be put on to now."

One regular customer, visiting the firm to place his 50th car order from the firm, joked, I was shocked to see that the choice was so POO-r!"

And Honda and Suzuki dealers at Ryding and Co, Hartington Road, Preston, suffered the same mix-up but sent the plates back.

The DVLA have promised to sort out the rude number plates as soon as possible.

A DVLA spokesman said: "Following objections from some members of the motor trade and the public in the Preston area further consideration was given to the display of PO followed by the numbers 02 and it was decided to withdraw this range.

"The Agency has always withheld registration marks with combinations of letters that are likely to cause widespread offence.

"These are normally considered to be potentially obscene or offensive to the general population."