CAR drivers can have their vehicle exhaust emission checked for free at four events this month.

Middlesbrough Council's community protection service officers will be on hand to offer advice on how to keep cars running at their most environmentally- friendly.

There is no need to book and drivers can just turn up at the testing point.

To get the best results, officers are recommending that drivers should ensure that their car engine is already warmed up.

Experts maintain that badly-tuned cars cause 70 per cent of vehicle pollution, and costs more to run - burning a hole in your pocket, as well as the environment.

Councillor Barry Coppinger, executive member for community safety and leisure, said: "We want people to think twice about using the car and look at alternative transport.

"However, we appreciate that for some people this is not really possible if they travel long distances daily to work or need to use the car at different times of the day.

"So we hope that lots of motorists will use these free emissions tests so they can tell if their car engine is working efficiently."

Should any car fail the emissions test, council officers will advise the motorist how and where their vehicle can be put right.

The free sessions will be held between 10am and 2pm, at Sainsbury's car park off Wilson Street, tomorrow; Morrisons car park at the Berwick Hills Centre, on Wednesday; Clairville Common, off Park Vale Road, next Tuesday; and Pallister Park car park, opposite Kwiksave, next Wednesday.