MORE than £180,000 is to be spent over the next two years tackling the Arthur Daleys of the North-East.

The cash from the Government's £30m Modernisation Fund is aimed at helping trading standards officers clamp down on rogue traders.

Authorities in Darlington, Stockton, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland have worked in partnership to gain £90,000 from the fund to pay for a garage good trader endorsement scheme.

Jeff Bell, chief trading standards officer for Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said that the scheme would involve auditing garages which sell both new and second hand cars.

"Garages volunteering to join the scheme will have an audit to make sure they comply with trading standards law and other principles. If they pass the audit they will be able to display a logo signifying trading standards approval. It is hoped it will give consumers some kind of guide about where they can obtain fair trade and help to promote good garages."