DRIVERS who fit novelty lights to their vehicles are breaking the law, police have warned.

A 30-year-old man from the Durham City area has been ordered to pay £105 in fines and costs for fitting tiny blue light-emitting diodes to his car's windscreen washer jets.

The man admitted an offence under the Road Vehicle Lighting Act when he appeared before magistrates at Chester-le-Street. The prosecution is thought to be one of the first of its kind.

Acting Sergeant Nigel Craig said washer jet lights were the biggest problem.

"Others fit the same choice of light to their windscreen wipers while we have noticed a growing trend among lorry drivers to mount displays inside their cabs.

"And there are also car owners who string tubes of green or purple neon lights around front number plates or under spoilers.

"hey all now run the risk of going to court.

"We firmly believe the varying shades of lights are a distraction for other road users.

"But our principal misgivings are about the blue ones, which some people might mistakenly think are emergency vehicles.''