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Councillor John Lynch had to reclaim his hatchback from his own council after it was towed away for having an out-of-date tax disc.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."