A CONTROVERSIAL scheme to fine motorists who leave their engines running while their cars are stationary is facing a delay.

Council chiefs in Darlington agreed last February to introduce the penalty in an effort to crack down on drivers polluting the environment.

But it may not come into force until this summer because of bureaucratic hold-ups.

Details of any £20 fines issued will have to be sent to a traffic endorsement centre in Northampton, instead of being dealt with locally.

Officials are asking for more information from the council on how it will issue the fines.

Drivers will have a certain period to pay, as with parking offences.

But if motorists want to appeal against the penalty, the information must be returned to Darlington to go through the local courts.

A council spokeswoman said: "The hold-up has been because the endorsement centre has needed certain information in terms of the way we are going to issue our notices.

"There are also computer issues, as software writing has been needed to introduce the system."

Once the system is in place, uniformed wardens will have the power to hand out fines.

The clampdown is expected to have its strongest impact on people waiting outside shops or collecting children from schools.

Similar schemes are in operation, but Darlington is believed to be the first authority in the North-East to set up a scheme.