MOTORISTS in Darlington will soon face on-the-spot fines for leaving their engines running while their cars are stationary.

The proposal caused a controversy when it was first mooted last year as part of a crackdown on drivers unnecessarily polluting the environment.

Darlington Borough Council's cabinet last night approved the proposal to allow the authority's team of uniformed wardens to issue £20 fixed-penalty notices.

They stressed that the issuing of fines would be a last resort and that the main aim of the initiative was to educate motorists about the environmental damage they could be causing.

The new rule is likely to affect drivers who leave their engines running while waiting outside shops or collecting children from schools.

All local authorities which have adopted Government regulations on vehicle emissions are permitted to request drivers to switch off engines being run needlessly.

Only a handful have taken up the policy so far, but more are now considering adopting it.

Councillor Stephen Harker, cabinet member for community protection, said: "While it must be stressed that Darlington's air quality is generally very good, there are sources of high pollution.

"It tends to be as a result of emissions and these regulations allow us to do something about it. Where people do not switch off their engines we will have the ability to issue fixed-penalty fines."

He said the proposal had been widely discussed at public protection and transport forums.

Coun Harker said: "There was support for this, provided we follow sensible guidelines."

Mitigating circumstances for drivers could include a cold day at a taxi rank, elderly or disabled drives needing to keep warm or helping to defrost a windscreen in very cold weather. Police, bus operators and taxi drivers were all consulted on the proposals.

A publicity campaign warning people about the regulations will be launched before they come into effect..