POLICE have pledged to hold further traffic crackdowns after the success of an unannounced blitz at one of the region's leading country markets.

The road policing team were joined by officials from a range of organisations, including trading standards and the Benefits Agency, when they descended on Catterick market.

Sixty-four vehicles of market traders were put under the spotlight - and almost half were found to be breaking the law in some way.

A dozen vehicles were given prohibition notices for being overweight and an additional 12 drivers were reported.

A further six received warnings regarding weight offences, while three drivers were also reported for other offences.

Three vehicles were found to be in such an unworthy condition that their were immediately ordered off the road.

A further eight were given delayed prohibition orders, requiring the drivers to take action to rectify the defects before using them again.

As well as the police looking for motoring offences, the Benefits Agency were carrying out checks of their own during the day-long clampdown.

Eight people were dealt with for benefits offences and signed off from claiming benefits. There will also be follow-up inquiries for at least two more people.

"This was a successful joint initiative, which resulted in approximately 47 per cent of vehicles being found in a condition whereby the driver had committed various offences," said Sergeant John Lumbard.

"It is anticipated that further driving document offences may yet come to light - and trading standards were also able to check on the quality of goods being sold at the market."

He added: "Overweight and unroadworthy vehicles are a danger to the public. Further operations are planned for the future in an effort to improve road safety, as well as help combat benefits fraud."