LANCASHIRE road safety officers are claiming another success following their latest traffic crackdown.

Almost 80 vehicles were stopped and examined by officers as part of Operation Mermaid. They joined forces with the Benefits Agency, the Department of Transport and RSPCA officials.

The operation in Blackburn and Bamber Bridge concentrated on traffic on the M65 at junction 29 and the M6 at junction 6.

A vehicle travelling along the M65, near Blackburn, was ordered off the road immediately because it was found to have so many defects.

The driver of the Ford Transit, who was told he must repair the van before he could use it again, decided it would cost more than the vehicle was worth and allowed it to be towed away for scrap.

Of the 78 vehicles stopped and examined, 25 had serious faults, including braking, lighting or suspension defects, and six had to have minor faults fixed.

Five vehicles were examined for road tax offences, there were four tachograph breaches and two drivers were working excess hours.

PC Ian Ashton said: "We target vehicles that look in poor condition and hope that eventually it will reduce the number of cars with defects."

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