CARAVAN enthusiasts beware, the police have launched a safety drive during the run-up to the busy Bank Holiday weekend.

Officers will target unroadworthy caravans in a bid to improve safety on Lancashire motorways.

Police say some caravans are only used a few times a year and fear they might not be roadworthy.

Lancashire Police's motorway unit has set up a special safety check area at the Vehicle Inspectorate site at Cuerden at the end of the M65.

Sergeant Brian Roberts said: "All vehicles making long journeys on the motorways need to be in good condition, this includes vehicles being towed, such as caravans.

"A simple incident such as a puncture on a caravan tyre can spell disaster on our busy motorway network."

The special check day will be held from 8am until 3pm on Friday, August 24.

The site is specially designed for the purpose of examining and weighing vehicles and is located at the centre of a motorway intersection taking in the M61, M65 and M6.

Sgt Roberts added: "In the past we have run safety checks on an advisory basis in partnership with organisations such as the Caravan Club. However the vehicles which took advantage of this tended to be well kept.

"With a growing number of collisions on the motorway network being attributable to caravans being in poor conditions, poorly loaded or overweight, we are taking a more proactive approach."

He continued: "Officers will be looking for unroadworthy vehicles travelling in the county on the motorway network, which will then be directed to the safety check site. "Any seriously defective vehicles will be removed from the road if necessary.

"We want people who use the motorways in Lancashire to reach their destination safely.

"One of the best ways for people to ensure they enjoy their caravan holiday is to place a thorough mechanical and safety check high on their list of prioritiest and ensure that they do not overload their vehicles.