PRESTON'S road tax cheats are being warned - the clampdown is about to begin.

The North West will soon become the first area outside London to be targeted by a national scheme to wheelclamp and impound dodgers' vehicles.

Clamping teams will patrol the streets of Lancashire - and there could be a crushing blow awaiting some people.

For vehicles that are not reclaimed within five weeks will be disposed of either by crushing or auction!

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in Swansea says it is taking a hard line against the tax cheats.

It is estimated there are 159,000 untaxed vehicles throughout the North West costing £19m in lost revenue. Lancashire itself has 37,000 at a cost of £4.2m.

The agency says the wheelclamping contractors will only be able to take action on cars parked on the public highway.

Long-term dodgers are the main targets, but anyone still in the so-called '14 days' grace' period could find themselves in trouble too.

The release penalties include:

£68 to remove the clamp and a valid tax disc to recover the vehicle.

£100 surety for a car or motorcycle and £500 for any other vehicle, forfeited if one cannot be produced within a fortnight.

Vehicles towed way and impounded if unclaimed within 24 hours. The release fee increasing to £135 with a £12 a day storage charge.

Vehicles crushed or sold at auction if not reclaimed within five weeks.

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