ILLEGAL and badly worn tyres will be the focus of a regional road safety campaign during May.

Police from Durham, North Yorkshire, Cleveland and Northumbria will be joining forces with the Tyre Industry Council (TIC) in what will be the first regional tyre safety campaign in the UK.

Vehicle tyres are a contributory factor in many road accidents, particularly in the wet, and the campaign is aimed at raising the awareness of the importance of tyre safety and reducing the incidence of tyre-related accidents.

It will involve roadside tyre checks by the police, supported by experts from the TIC.

Motorists who are found to have an illegal tyre could face a £2,500 fine and three penalty points put on their licence.

It is hoped more than 4,000 cars and vans will be checked during the campaign.