MOTORISTS who drive without insurance in County Durham face losing their cars as part of a police-led clampdown.

Durham Constabulary has teamed up with one of the country's biggest insurance firms to launch Operation Takeaway to target those who take to the roads without being covered.

Anyone stopped while driving in the county who turns out to be uninsured will not be allowed to continue their journey.

They will then be given the option of having the vehicle recovered to a nominated garage or signing a disclaimer allowing the police to take it away for crushing.

If they want the car back the owner must pay the resulting recovery and storage fees and provide proof they have insurance. If they fail to meet the conditions within 14 days, the vehicle will be destroyed.

Chief Inspector Paul Goundry, head of road policing, said: "Uninsured drivers often tend to be guilty of other offences, such as having no driving licence or MoT. Frequently the cars they are driving are not roadworthy and a potential risk to others.

"We estimate Operation Takeaway should clear around 800 uninsured cars from the streets of County Durham and Darlington in the next twelve months.

"This initiative will improve road safety, reduce casualties and cut the risk of you or someone you know being hurt by an illegal, uninsured driver."

The Department for Transport estimates about 1.2 million people, or one in 20 UK motorists, drive regularly without insurance cover. This places a significant financial burden on honest vehicle-owners, who have to pay on average an additional £30 per year on their premiums.

Financial support for the project has come from one of the country's leading insurers, Direct Line.

Direct Line spokesman Emma Holyer said: "We believe this kind of scheme is the way forward in cutting down uninsured driving. The industry needs to work with the public sector in targeting uninsured drivers and we would urge other insurers to consider sponsoring similar schemes in other parts of the country."

As part of Operation Takeaway, road policing officers will be using the force's Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology.

This can make immediate checks on suspect vehicles against a number of external databases, including that of the motor insurance industry.