A MOTORIST was forced to walk home after throwing a cigarette end out of a car window.

A police patrol spotted the butt flying through the air and, on pulling the car over, found it was untaxed and the motorist uninsured.

The car was towed to the vehicle pound and the driver and passenger had to walk home.

The scene unfolded in central Middlesbrough where a crackdown has been declared on smoking.

The Northern Echo reported last month how six people had received £50 on-the-spot fines for dropping dog-ends in the town centre.

The fines carry the threat of prosecution on failure to pay within 14 days.

The penalties are part of Mayor Ray Mallon's bid to turn the town, where one person every day dies of a smoke-related illness, into a smoke-free zone.

Under Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency powers, Middlesbrough Council can seize untaxed vehicles, which can only be reclaimed if ownership can be proved and the tax and the council's costs are paid.

The offences of driving while uninsured and driving an untaxed vehicle can incur heavy court fines.

Councillor Barry Coppinger, the council's executive member for community safety, said: "This action is a compliment to the alertness of our police officers and the close working relationship with council staff.

"It illustrates that those who disregard the most basic laws are likely to contravene other laws too."

Sergeant Keith Kitson, of Cleveland Police, said: "Even the most trivial offences can lead to more serious ones. It is often the small offences which result in more serious offences coming to light."

He added: "The problem a lot of people don't realise is, if still alight, a cigarette end flung out of a car window could land in the helmet or clothing of a motorcyclist travelling behind.

"He is going to react and that reaction that could lead to a serious collision."