TWO children under the age of three were among those found not wearing an appropriate restraint during a seatbelt campaign.

A total of 56 drivers were found not wearing their seatbelts in the Cleveland and Durham areas, which included 12 from the Cleveland area, two of these were child passengers under the age of three years-old.

Inspector Ed Turner, from the Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit said: “It is inconceivable that drivers would risk their own lives, let alone the lives of children and other passengers travelling with them.

“Whilst the majority of people do listen to our warnings, there are a handful of individuals who continue to ignore them and these people will feel the force of the law as a result of this ignorance.

“It is very clear from the results of the campaign that there is a continued need for our officers to be out there on the roads, keeping people safe and highlighting and educating people on the importance of wearing seatbelts.”

Officers from the Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit carried out the campaign earlier this month.

Under current legislation, drivers are responsible for ensuring that suitable safety restraints are worn by all passengers under 14-years-old.

Children must use an appropriate car restraint for their weight until they are 135cm tall or their 12th birthday, whichever is first.

Anyone who fails to wear a seatbelt will receive a £100 fine and if they are prosecuted the maximum fine could be anything up to £500.