PEOPLE in Darlington are being encouraged to help the environment by reporting commercial vehicles which emit excessive exhaust smoke.

An initiative by the Vehicle Inspectorate is aimed at clamping down on pollution.

At a meeting of the town's Public Protection and Community Partnership's scrutiny committee, members backed the vehicle hotline.

The scheme covers all diesel vehicles being used for business, including taxis, buses, lorries, vans and cars.

Callers ringing the hotline will be asked to supply the vehicle registration number, type of vehicle, date, time and place the vehicle was seen, and the name of the firm operating it.

Once a call is received, the Vehicle Inspectorate will investigate. It has legal powers to prohibit vehicle use and enforce repair work.

The hotline number is 0113- 288 7818