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 an insurance firm to launch Operation Takeaway.

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

Drivers 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 the driver wants the car back he, or she, 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 about 800 uninsured cars from the streets of County Durham and Darlington in the next 12 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 drivers, who have to pay on average an additional £30 per year on their premiums.

Financial support has come from Direct Line.

As part of the operation, police officers will use the force's Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology to make checks on suspect vehicles against external databases.