CARAVANS have been seized by the police after they were driven up England's steepest A road..

North Yorkshire police stopped the caravans on the morning of June 5 after they had been driven up Sutton Bank, on the North York Moors.

Caravans are prohibited from going up or down the bank. Local people in Sutton Under Whitestonecliffe have been campaigning for years to stop HGV's using the bank because of dozens of blockages on the steep one in four gradient sections of the notorious road. Police said an alternative route is clearly signposted through Coxwold and Ampleforth.

It was also discovered that neither of the drivers had the correct licence to tow the caravans and both vehicles were seized by the police until someone with a suitable licence can go and retrieve them on the owners behalf.

A spokesman said both drivers have been reported for driving other than in accordance with their licences.