CHECKS on vehicles converted to run on liquid petroleum gas have revealed that alarming numbers failed to reach basic safety standards.

More than 40 per cent of the vehicles tested in Northallerton, Harrogate and Scarborough were failed by a team of independent engineers.

Sixty-two vehicles were examined and despite the shock findings the number of passes was actually higher than that seen in similar exercises elsewhere in the country.

The county's trading standards team fear that garages are installing equipment without having received proper advice.

Department head Stuart Pudney said :"Of the 25 vehicles which failed the test, 12 were deemed to have major safety failures and the owners of four vehicles were advised not to run their vehicles on LPG until the fault had been repaired.

"A further 13 owners were referred back to the installer for a variety of minor safety matters and as a result investigations have been instigated."

In the past there have been occasions when cars have burst into flames because conversions have been incorrectly fitted.

If the wrong equipment is fitted, the standard fitted plastic manifold found in some vehicles can blow causing the vehicle to stop suddenly.

If there is no access to the tank shut-off valve or there is no electronic device fitted to shut off the tank, when there is a break in the pipe the gas will leak out and could be easily ignited.

If gas tanks are not securely fitted in a safe location, the tank could break free from its fittings and possibly release its contents.

Mr Pudney said: "Installations carried out by trained experts will avoid these sorts of issues and a safe LPG installation can be as safe, if not safer, than a petrol run vehicle."

Of the vehicles examined, ones installed by the vehicle manufacturer or an LPG approved installer were of better quality.

Details of approved installers can be found on www.lpga.co.uk or call (01425) 461612.