POLICE will be out in force over the bank holiday weekend - targeting dangerous caravans on one of North Yorkshire's busiest holiday routes.

They are teaming up with officials from the Department of Transport and the Tyre Industry Council to mount Operation Tourer.

Static road checks will be established along the A64, between York and Scarborough, to check touring caravans for safety.

In particular, they will be looking at weight and weight distribution and the compatibility of the towing vehicle.

"Last year, 29 touring caravans overturned in North Yorkshire, with almost one in three of them being on the A64," said Traffic Sergeant Nigel Atkinson.

"Apart from the obvious danger of serious injuries being caused by these accidents, they also cause tremendous disruption, on roads which are already congested, to the frustration of other drivers."

The initiative is being linked with the force's ongoing campaign to promote tyre safety.

"Any vehicle, trailer or caravan with defective tyres is a potential death trap - and we are determined to do all we can to remove them from the roads," said Sgt Atkinson.

"If necessary we always have the option to prosecute, but this is really about prevention and education."