A COUNCILLOR had his car towed during a clampdown on car tax dodgers.
Embarrassed Councillor John Lynch had to reclaim his hatchback from his own council after it was towed away for having an out-of-date tax disc.
The Stockton borough councillor had to pay an £80 recovery fee.
Last night, he said: "The car is back on the road. The car tax was paid the day it was taken away."
Coun Lynch, who represents Thornaby's Stainsby Hill ward for Labour, said: "It was an oversight, but I have dealt with the issue.
"It was a house move - that's basically all it was - as I was moving house to another house and not getting my mail."
Coun Lynch's car was taken to a compound in Stockton after an enforcement officer spotted the expired tax disc.
A council spokesman said: "Our enforcement duties include working as agents for the DVLA. We are empowered to impound individuals' vehicles.
"We cannot discuss individual cases. There is a release fee, which reflects the cost a council incurs in having a vehicle impounded."
Councillor Dick Cains, treasurer of the council's Labour group, said: "I am sure this is not the first time it's happened, and I am sure it won't be the last.
"I feel he would not do it deliberately, and was treated the same as any good citizen.
"I feel sorry for John, he is a splendid fellow and it seems a shame."
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