OWNERS of vehicles which are vulnerable to theft are being offered cut-price security products.

A grant from the Safer Communities Initiative has enabled crime prevention officers to make bright yellow steering wheel covers, known as Diskloks, available for £25, instead of their usual price of £80.

The offer is open to drivers throughout the Easington area who own ageing Ford or Vauxhall cars, which statistics show are likely to be targeted by offenders.

It follows a similar scheme in the run-up to Christmas, when drivers in areas including Wheatley Hill, Shotton Colliery and Edenhill, in Peterlee, were invited to take advantage of the discount.

Applicants must own a Ford or Vauxhall car with a registration prefix of J or earlier, and therefore registered before August 1991.

Posters highlighting the scheme and application forms are in Co-op stores across east Durham, Asda in Peterlee, several petrol stations, and Seaham and Peterlee police offices.

Drivers can also apply for Diskloks by contacting the officer behind the scheme, PC Ian Haddick.

There are 200 for sale at the reduced price and these are available on a first come, first served basis.