MOTORISTS in Darwen were given a strong message that tax dodgers will not be tolerated when police and the DVLA swooped on 40 vehicles.

During the first week in February, the DVLA and police community officers patrolled the town targeting untaxed and unroadworthy vehicles.

Thirty-six were clamped and the owners had to pay for them to be released and four were towed away.

A 35-year-old man from Hazel Avenue was also arrested on a charge of criminal damage after he was spotted trying to remove a clamp.

Insp Andrea Bradbury said: "We do try to target those involved in crime or reported by the community as an issue.

"These joint exercises with DVLA are carried out regularly so motorists are warned to make sure their tax is in date."